Conor McGregor given his flowers by Dan Hooker for UFC 329 return despite loaded bank account: “Credit to him”

Conor McGregor has done quite well for himself financially, and Dan Hooker is impressed that the “Notorious” one hasn’t simply walked away from the fight game.

McGregor is scheduled to step back inside the Octagon for the main event of UFC 329 on July 11. The Irishman will be meeting a familiar foe in Max Holloway. The two clashed all the way back in 2013, and it was McGregor who emerged victorious via unanimous decision despite suffering a torn ACL during the fight.

A lot has changed since the first meeting between McGregor and Holloway. Both have become icons of the sport, but “Blessed” has a lot of things working in his favor. McGregor hasn’t competed since 2021 when he broke his leg during the trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. Holloway has been far more active and remains one of the toughest strikers in the sport.

Appearing on “Submission Radio,” Hooker gave the “Notorious” one his due for getting back into prizefighting when he doesn’t need the money (h/t Bloody Elbow).

“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. 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.”

McGregor vs. Holloway will be contested in the welterweight division. Hooker believes it adds an important element to the fight given that “Blessed” has competed as a featherweight for most of his career. Still, “The Hangman” is concerned about the activity level working against McGregor.

How much success do you think Conor McGregor will have before his UFC 329 return comes to an end? Let us know what you think in the comments below.