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    MMA News wrap-up: Conor McGregor says no to comeback? Plus Artem Vakhitov rejects UFC, Cain Velasquez sentenced, more

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    Conor McGregor | Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images

    Conor McGregor sure sounds like a man that's done with fighting.

    At a BKFC press conference in Florida this past Thursday, McGregor all but admitted that he's prioritizing his political career over a return to combat sports competition, claiming he passed on an offer to fight on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco. Specifically, the former two-division UFC champion said, "I'm happy with what I've done. There's something else for me that's in my gut right now and that's kind of where I'm going, so we'll see. Greatness don't rush, also. Greatness does not rush."

    That "something else" is a run at Irish presidency, if McGregor's boasts are to be taken seriously. The 36-year-old has been a vocal critic of his native country's government, particularly its immigration policies, and has vowed to become President to address these perceived problems.

    McGregor didn't swear off fighting again entirely—he has yet to compete since breaking his leg in a fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021—and he expects fans will still tune in should he return to action.

    "My comeback will be slated as the greatest comeback or the biggest, most-anticipated comeback of all time, and right now Ireland is in my thoughts and that's where I'm at," McGregor said. "It will happen, I'm sure and it's always great to be here and there you go."

    If your reactions are anything to go by, the welcome for McGregor might not be as warm as he assumes it will be.

    Jippy
    McGregor should not be in mma news. He has not fought in 4 years and has no plans to fight. Stop!

    blackout45
    Khabib should run for president against him.

    deraj610
    Not that we needed confirmation at this point that he was done in MMA, but this is clearly a way out for him so he can operate under the delusion it was on his terms.

    Be subpar for Ja'Marr
    July makes 10 years since he beat Mendes… November 2026 makes 10 years since beating Eddie. It's kinda hilarious how short his reign was and how long ago it was.
    Baldy needs to make a new star

    Flamesting
    And my comeback will be slated as the greatest comeback or the biggest, most-anticipated comeback of all time
    Man, that is just sad.

    NordicFightFan
    It seems to me as if Conor in large parts will go down as a trivia more than a respected legend of the game 20 years from now. Things like "Who was the first double champion in the UFC" and "How many title defenses did Conor rack up" as a trick question rather than his wins and his greatness, that's how I think Conor will be mentioned mostly.

    Cain Velasquez sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading no-contest in attempted murder case

    Cain Velasquez's legal saga is over for now and he's now set for jail time after a no-contest plea in his trial for attempted murder, among other charges. It's well-documented that Velasquez's target was a man accused of molesting Velasquez's son, so it's fair to say many MMA fans and his fellow fighters have been sympathetic to his plight.

    You had your reactions as well and you can check out some of the best comments below.

    Be subpar for Ja'Marr
    Just a shit situation…. It's easy for someone to say they'd be composed in that situation… if it actually happens, it's a different story.
    At the end of the day, he could have shot the driver and the driver could have veered off and hit an innocent kid.

    NordicFightFan
    I think every single person - with or without kids - can understand why Cain reached the point he did, but there's just no looking past the fact that Cain's reaction seemingly endangered every single person he drove past while also literally shooting a guy who caused no suffering to the son of Cain. No judge can or should let that slide, you just can't.

    Meetch
    Yes, Cain shot someone. I'm not excusing the act.
    However, I look over at my daughter as I type this and think "What would I do if someone assaults or molests her?"
    The world changes drastically when you have kids of your own.

    pk76
    As someone who just had the heart wrenching experience of working away from my kids for a year I feel for Cain. Leaving my kids was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life and during the year away the intense feeling of missing them never went away. Everyday I had a knot in my stomach and cried after almost everytime I spoke with them.I probably would also go berserk if someone hurt or tried to hurt my kids but I also understand that the law doesn't care about that. It sucks that a good man is going to jail (good people can do crazy things) but it's understandable.

    Artem Vakhitov, last man to beat Alex Pereira in kickboxing, passes on UFC offer and now faces Rico Verhoeven in GLORY

    Artem Vakhitov, a decorated kickboxer who has a history with Alex Pereira, shockingly said no to a lucrative Contender Series contract (some sarcasm, perhaps). This sort of thing doesn't happen often and Vakhitov's decision caused a stir in the MMA community.

    SpawnofCthulhu
    When freaking glory pays more than the ufc, it's a sad day for everyone and that's why the ufc has become a hug fest. People who can throw a punch or have any sort of athletic ability can make more doing literally anything else.
    At this point all the ufc really has to offer is maybe a chance to kickstart someone's social media career

    Darrenm01
    The way I understand it the DWCS is meant to bring in young and (literally) hungry fighters who are willing to sign long term contracts with the UFC for around $10K/$10K.
    Eventually the UFC will have their entire roster on these deals, maximizing future profits by keeping expenses down.
    The UFC doesn't care about talent or storyline, which is why they refused to make concessions for Vakhitov. They just want to pay for another cog in the wheel for the next APEX event.

    Beeunleashed
    Well that sucks. At 33 you don't really have time to fight out a crappy contract and see what you can negotiate after. Can't blame him for following the money.

    Clownfan
    Vakhitov handled it with class, but the offer was ridiculous. Agree with this coach that something more along the lines of what they paid Pereira would be more appropriate. He was probably looking at turning to MMA as a chance to make some big money.
    Gotta think the UFC didn't really want to sign him and maybe thinks they have enough Glory Kickboxers for the moment. There was no need for him to even compete on Contender Series given his resume.
    Maybe they just used him to get more eyeballs on that particular episode of DWCS and/ or in case they were running out of options for Alex to fight.

    Fat Bloke
    Load of rubbish. They made the rules and they could bend them. It's a silly excuse that makes no sense. They could offer him whatever contract they like whether he went on DWCS or not.

    Ex-Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader parts ways with PFL

    Ryan Bader is the latest former Bellator star to part ways with PFL and fans are frustrated to see another recognizable name leave the league for free agency.

    klev21
    WHAT WAS THE POINT OF PFL BUYING BELLATOR?

    SB40
    The PFL is doomed. Bellator was a waste of an acquisition. But, hey, they have $50 million for a Jones/Francis fight. Yeah right.

    nuts!!!
    I'd like to hear Donn Davis tell how many Bellator fighters are still on the roster and how many of those have fights scheduled. He's a BS salesman with a mouthful of samples.

    MMA_Devils_Advocate
    another one 'bite the dust'....
    great job PFL treating fighters right...smh

    Telomere
    He pointedly thanked Bellator.
    Not a single established fighter is happy with these clowns at PFL.
    Correction. AJ is, but look how he's performing.
    PFL are a shambles.

    UFC Mexico Results: Moreno vs. Erceg

    UFC Mexico was a fine card and you all had thoughts about the main event, which saw Brandon Moreno win a workmanlike decision over Steve Erceg.

    HotThunder
    never thought I'd see the mexican Ferris Bueller vs a little Michael Scott

    Joe I
    I think Erceg should have taken a little further step back after 2 back to back losses. Think Moreno is too well rounded.

    Saku'sMissingEar
    Erceg got me screaming at the tv. Left hand UP man. Consistently dropping it and getting cracked..

    aceknighthigh
    4-1 Moreno...Steve seems solid but not special really. For a guy coming off a bad KO he sure seems to like dropping his left hand for no reason.

    Dwayne_Chapman
    Where does Erceg go from here? 29 years old, had a great attempt at the title but has been all downhill since. Do you keep fighting to try and stay in the top 10 or go work a 9-5 and worry about your 401k match?

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