Al Iaquinta is not so sure of a comeback from Conor McGregor.
UFC -Superster McGregor teases his return since he recovered from his broken leg against Dustin Poirier on UFC 264 in 2021.
Four years later, the McGregor van Ireland has since had to fight and withdraw from a booking against Michael Chandler last summer due to an injury.
The former two -division champion recently submitted a test in the pool of drug tests, which he must take into account to fight again.
Yet some fear the worst for McGregor and wonder if he will ever fight again in the midst of a potential political run in Ireland.
Bloody Elbow asked former top-five lightweight competition Al Iiaquinta, which are the opportunities of a McGregor-back and his opinion about the new champion Ilia Topuria.
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Al Iaquinta again doubts that Conor McGregor is fighting again
Iaquinta has never been given the opportunity to fight with McGregor during his time in the Octagon. However, he fought against Khabib Nurmagomedov in a lightweight title match on a day cancellation period at UFC 223 in 2018, did another round Dan McGregor, after he had gone the distance with Nurmagomedov in a decision.
At one point McGregor had Iaquinta in his sights as a potential opponent, after Iaquinta McGregor had criticized for his performance against Nurmagomedov, in which he was submitted in the fourth round.
The retired UFC star commented on the chances of a McGregor -37.
“If I had to say, no, I would think he doesn't,” Iaquinta told Bloody Elbow.
“I think he did great to keep himself in the headlines, but I don't know. It is much. I think he is 36, 37, right? Is he 37? 38 years old?
“He lives a good life, and the longer you go without fighting, the harder it is to come back. So you almost hope he doesn't,” Iaquinta said.
“I don't know. It seems that he's still a bit out of his mind, so we'll see,” said the former top candidate about a potential return of McGregor.
Al Iiaquinta says that 'Conor 2.0' Ilia Topuria is 'Next Evolution'
Iaquinta likes what he sees of lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Topuria improved to 17-0 with a first round knockout from Charles Oliveira on UFC 317 and became the 10th hunter in the history of UFC to win belts in two divisions.
From his 7-0 featherweight title run to his tattoos, there are a few similarities between Topuria and McGregor-from which some 'El Matador' has been criticized.
From what he has seen, Iaquinta says with respectful Topuria the blueprint of McGregor 'a notch' in his own way.
“He's great. He's the total package, right?” Iaquinta said about the 28-year-old Topuria.
“I think he speaks well. He is an inspiration for the younger generation. He is a positive role model. I think he immediately got his head where he is like a family man.
“I see him having a long reign, a positive regime. I think he is the next evolution. I think he is as Conor 2.0. He took Conor's blueprint and then just let it go up a notch …
“Conor was unique in his kind, but he is sure, he does it in his own way,” Iaquinta said about Topuria.
Iaquinta went on.
“He does it his own way, but he takes a lot from the Conor book. It's cool to see.
“I am interested in seeing what happens next …”
Iaquinta said he wants to see Topuria fight for former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, and added that it was the modern Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov 'is.