Dan Hooker has praised Conor McGregor for making his long-awaited return to the Octagon, admitting that the former two-division champion has nothing left to prove financially but continues to chase competition.
McGregor is set to return to action in the main event of UFC 329 on July 11, where he will face longtime rival Max Holloway in a highly anticipated rematch. The pair first met in 2013 when both men were still rising prospects in the UFC. McGregor earned a unanimous decision victory despite suffering a torn ACL during the contest.
A lot has changed since that first encounter. Both fighters have gone on to become global stars, but their paths have been very different in recent years. While Holloway has remained one of the UFC’s most active and durable competitors, McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021.
Speaking on Submission Radio, Dan Hooker said McGregor deserves credit for working his way back after a devastating injury that many believed could have ended his career.
“No knock on Conor,” Hooker said. “That’s a career-ender, the way he snapped his leg. Having to come back and rebuild from that, credit to him.”
Hooker also pointed out that McGregor’s immense financial success makes his return even more remarkable.
“The guy has got more money than anyone else in the sport, so there is no real need for him to get back out there and compete again.”
“Credit to him for still having the chip on his shoulder and something to prove.”
While Dan Hooker respects McGregor’s determination, he believes the fight presents significant challenges for the Irish star. Holloway has remained active at the highest level, competing regularly against elite opposition, while McGregor has spent nearly five years away from competition.
Hooker acknowledged that the welterweight weight limit could work in McGregor’s favor, but he still sees Holloway’s activity as a major advantage.
“That weight obviously changes it drastically,” Hooker said.”Max has been competing at featherweight and has recently had a couple of dust-ups at lightweight. I’m sure he probably walks around at about that weight [170 pounds].Max is fast and competing consistently at the elite level. Fighting is not something you can pick up and put down when you feel like it.”
For Hooker, however, the mere fact that McGregor is stepping back into the cage after suffering a catastrophic leg injury is worthy of recognition. Whether the comeback ends in victory or defeat, he believes the former champion deserves respect for taking the challenge.
