Chael Sonnen Expresses Doubts Over Conor McGregor’s 2026 Return
Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler have both taken to social media to confirm their upcoming fight, which is rumored to take place on the South Lawn of the White House in 2026. However, the UFC has yet to officially announce the bout, with CEO Dana White stating that planning for the event will commence in February. This lack of confirmation has led to speculation about the fight’s legitimacy, with Chael Sonnen being one of the most prominent voices expressing doubt.
Chandler has revealed that McGregor has been bringing in training partners to mimic his fighting style, which suggests that the fight is indeed on. McGregor has also been actively training, vowing to live in the gym and undergoing rigorous testing in preparation for his highly anticipated return to the UFC. Despite this, Sonnen remains unconvinced, citing concerns over McGregor’s ability to make weight and the UFC’s desire for a five-round fight to maximize their star’s screen time.
Why Sonnen is Skeptical of McGregor’s Return
Sonnen, a UFC Hall of Famer, has explained his reservations about McGregor’s 2026 return in a recent YouTube video. While impressed by McGregor’s training footage, Sonnen believes that the Irishman’s weight gain and potential struggles with making weight could be a significant obstacle. Furthermore, Sonnen thinks that the UFC would push for a five-round fight, which would only add to McGregor’s challenges. Sonnen also notes that fighters who struggle with making weight often retire before stepping on the scales, which could be a sign that McGregor is nearing the end of his career.
Sonnen also questions the authenticity of McGregor’s training videos, suggesting that the UFC would produce more polished promotional content if the fight were officially confirmed. Instead, McGregor’s DIY-style training clips may be an attempt to keep his “image” as a fighter alive, rather than a genuine indication of his return to competition. As Sonnen puts it, “Conor, the image is a fighter. Not an actor, not a pub owner, not a bareknuckle promoter, he is a fighter. The image of Conor. And when an image dies, the person can die… If you are Conor and you must keep the image alive, you do not have to put out training videos sideways from an iPhone of you in a dingy garage at 2 am.”
Sonnen’s Concerns About McGregor’s Future
Sonnen’s doubts about McGregor’s return are not solely based on the Irishman’s physical condition or promotional activities. He also questions the logic behind a potential fight against Chandler, asking, “Where does Conor go after a win over Chandler? Where does he go?” Sonnen believes that this matchup may not be the most strategic or appealing option for McGregor, which further fuels his skepticism about the fight’s likelihood. Despite acknowledging McGregor’s impressive physical condition and speed, Sonnen remains unconvinced, stating, “I don’t think you can look good even in a 20-second clip unless there is other hard work around it. And his body looked good; his muscles looked good. His speed was good. I think that he is getting a little bit more exercise than maybe we are aware of. Does it mean he is going to fight? I am not convinced.”
For more information on Chael Sonnen’s comments about Conor McGregor, you can watch his video here. As the situation develops, it will be interesting to see whether McGregor and Chandler ultimately face off in 2026, or if Sonnen’s doubts prove to be well-founded.
