Dominick
Cruz believes Conor
McGregor’s return to action in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship was motivated by more than
financial gain, suggesting the former two-division champion was
looking for a way to escape the lifestyle that produced his
wealth.
McGregor suffered a knee injury with the opening strike he threw at
UFC 329. The referee called a halt to the bout a little over a
minute in, as „Notorious” was unable to plant both feet firmly
while advancing and repeatedly fell over. This marks the second
McGregor fight in a row that has ended in an anticlimactic leg
injury, as his trilogy bout against Dustin
Poirier back in 2021 resulted in a bone break.
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The former UFC champion shares his theory behind McGregor’s
comeback attempt
Cruz spoke from experience, having dealt with several major
injuries during his own career.
“We keep saying he doesn’t need to come back because he’s got the
money, but I disagree,” Cruz said on the UFC 329 post-show on
Paramount+. “I think the reason why he was coming back was to save
his own life from the money, from the lifestyle he’s been living. I
think that he’s going to be facing that again.”
The new Hall of Fame inductee and former bantamweight champion
believes McGregor’s mindset will now have to reset to how the
Irishman’s approach was before signing on to rematch Max
Holloway.
“God is going to keep putting the same test in front of you until
you choose different. Fighting wasn’t going to pull you out.
Fighting can’t solve everything, and he’s going to learn that
because he’s got to face himself without this thing that really
cures a lot of us,” Cruz added. “I mean, martial arts saved my
life. I truly believe he came back to save his own life, and now
he’s back to where he started before he booked this fight.”
McGregor has released a statement since his defeat to Holloway,
revealing that after getting surgery for his injury, he will return
to training and commence preparations for the final bout of his UFC
contract.
— The MMA Meister (@TheMMAMeister)
July 12, 2026