Joe Rogan reflected on Conor McGregor's unprecedented rise and fall as one of the UFC's greatest athletes of all time.
Conor McGregor is one of the most important figures in UFC history and arguably the biggest pay-per-view superstar in the fight. He has taken huge risks in and out of the Octagon and cemented himself as one of the highest-earning athletes in the world.
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McGregor, who hasn't fought inside the Octagon since a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, was set to return at UFC 303 before suffering an injury. At the time of writing, McGregor's UFC future is uncertain despite a known foe inviting him to UFC 309.
Before his recent UFC fight, McGregor at one point topped the UFC's pound-for-pound list after capturing two division championships. His previous success led to the term “champ-champ,” a nod to his title wins at lightweight and featherweight.
Now, McGregor has lost three of his last four UFC fights, and many are wondering if he will win another MMA fight before he retires. Rogan, an admirer of McGregor's meteoric rise to the top of the UFC, believes fame and fortune were central to the Irish superstar's downfall.
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Joe Rogan: 'Money Fight' Led to Conor McGregor's Dark Descent
On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan gave his thoughts on McGregor's recent struggles.
“Conor has destroyed himself in many ways because of money,” Rogan said. “He took the fight against Floyd Mayweather, made a lot of money doing it, and it took a long time for him to return to MMA – and he hasn't been the same man since.
“I think it's just money, it's a lot of partying, but it's the same kind of thing. It's just wild. But when Conor was in his prime, he was a killer.” (h/t MiddelEasy)
McGregor and Boxing Hall Famer Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought in the infamous 'money fight' in 2017. It was McGregor's professional boxing debut and despite an impressive start he lost to Mayweather by TKO.
After the Mayweather fight, McGregor failed to replicate the magic that made him the UFC's first simultaneous two-division champion. UFC CEO Dana White is targeting McGregor's UFC return before the end of 2025.
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Joe Rogan compares Jon Jones and Conor McGregor's reactions to the controversy
Contrary to his stance on McGregor's fall, Rogan then brought up Jon Jones, who has found continued UFC success despite his out-of-competition controversies.
“Jon [Jones] is a special guy, when he's gone we will all miss him,” Rogan said. “He's a different kind of man. I mean, he's been at the top for fourteen years. He was the youngest man to ever win a UFC title, at 23… But when Jon Jones won that title at 23, it was like [a] destruction of everyone since then.
“Never ducked anyone, fought the best, destroyed everyone and dominated his division – went to heavyweight, dominates at heavyweight.” (h/t MiddelEasy)
Jones recently defended the UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 309 against Stipe Miocic. After winning the fight via TKO, he is likely set for a clash with interim UFC heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall in 2025.
Jones has taken multiple leaves of absence from the UFC Octagon due to legal issues and controversial moments. Despite this, he is arguably the greatest UFC fighter of all time after a largely flawless fighting career.
McGregor continues to push to return to the Octagon next year against another big star. But for Rogan, McGregor's unprecedented rise will never become a reality for the former two-division UFC champion.
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