Jan Błachowicz believes Conor McGregor is capable of returning to the UFC but says the psychological hurdle will be the hardest part. Błachowicz noted that when a fighter reaches McGregor's level and then experiences a dramatic fall, the mental recovery is immense. He suggested McGregor could potentially return as soon as next year.
Jan Błachowicz has weighed in on Conor McGregor's long-awaited UFC comeback, suggesting the Irishman has the physical tools to compete again but faces a far steeper challenge between the ears.
The former light heavyweight champion made clear he believes McGregor is not done as a fighter. However, Błachowicz pointed to the psychological weight of McGregor's situation as the defining obstacle. When a fighter climbs to the absolute peak of the sport and then endures a dramatic fall, the mental recovery demanded is immense — and in Błachowicz's view, that internal battle will determine whether a return happens more than any physical consideration. He floated the possibility that McGregor could be back inside the Octagon as early as next year.
McGregor, 38, carries a professional record of 22 wins and 7 losses and has long been one of the sport's most recognisable figures. The southpaw from Dublin trains out of SBG Ireland and built his reputation largely on explosive striking, averaging 5.27 significant strikes landed per minute at a 49 percent accuracy rate across his career. Standing five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach, he competed primarily at lightweight and featherweight during his peak years.
Why it matters
- McGregor remains among the UFC's highest-profile names, meaning any confirmed return would carry enormous divisional and commercial weight.
- Błachowicz's framing shifts the conversation away from physical readiness, highlighting mental resilience as the true unknown.
- A 2027 timeline, if accurate, would mean McGregor returning at 38 or 39, adding further context to the psychological and competitive challenge Błachowicz describes.
