While the world waits for Conor McGregor‘s long-awaited return to the Octagon, the Irishman has been busy arranging matches in the background. Instead of announcing his own comeback, ‘The Notorious’ is using his celebrity power to help a friend get a crack in the UFC. McGregor has never been hesitant about supporting his teammates, and this time he is going all out to attract Dana White‘s attention. He’s done it before—fighters like Artem Lobov and Ian Garry have benefited from his support—but who is the most recent addition to his list?
Enter Nikolay Grozdev, also known as ‘Slick Nick.’ The Bulgarian featherweight has been decimating opponents, and his performance at WOW 17 was no exception. UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria was among those watching from cageside in Madrid, but McGregor’s reaction was the most intense. John Kavanagh, McGregor’s long-time coach, was the first to react to Grozdev’s victory, posting a photo of himself with ‘Slick Nick’ inside the WOW FC cage. “It’s another first-round finish for ‘Slick Nik’ @wowfc. Title fight next??” he wrote in the caption, implying that Grozdev could be closing in on a championship shot. But McGregor wasn’t interested in regional titles; he had higher plans. He reshared Kavanagh’s post on his Instagram story, adding a caption that left no doubt: “Slick Nick ANOTHER 1st ROUND FINISH! UFC.”
‘Slick Nik,’ according to McGregor, is more than just another potential fighter; he belongs on the biggest stage in MMA, and he’s making sure Dana White knows about it. And why wouldn’t he promote it? After all, Nikolay Grozdev secured a win that truly stunned many fans. His opponent, Theo Bashford, came out aggressive, landing a strong low kick and a precise right hand that shocked Grozdev for a minute. However, ‘Slick Nik’ maintained his composure, swiftly changing levels to secure a takedown before seamlessly transitioning into an arm-triangle choke. Within seconds, Bashford was forced to tap, earning ‘Slick Nik’ his third consecutive first-round victory and proving that he is more than ready for the next level.
‘Slick Nik’ has done his best. The choice is now up to Dana White. Nikolay Grozdev has the track record, the finishing ability, and now the support of one of the biggest names in combat sports. Fighters with less hype have gotten it into the promotion, but McGregor’s backing could be the push he needs to land a contract. The UFC is constantly looking for rising stars, and with Grozdev already proving himself on the regional circuit, a call-up may be just around the horizon. If ‘The Notorious’ continues to apply pressure like he did through his story, ‘Slick Nick’ could make his UFC debut sooner than later. But while it is always fun having a new fighter on the roster, there is no denying that fans miss seeing a veteran like McGregor fight as well. So, will he return anytime soon? Well, there is a sad update for UFC fans, as Conor McGregor has dropped a major hint at his retirement.
Conor McGregor hints at retirement during Bare Knuckle FC press conference
Conor McGregor’s promotion of ‘Slick Nick’ makes sense, since he has always supported his teammates. But, although he’s encouraging others to join the UFC, he’s also hinting that his own time in the Octagon may be drawing to a close. Instead of discussing his return at the Bare Knuckle FC press conference, he began to indicate that he was leaving MMA. The Irishman’s not simply taking a break; he’s looking for something altogether different. Following a visit to the White House, he stated that his primary focus remains on Ireland and the future of his nation. For someone who built his name on fighting, this shift feels massive.
‘The Notorious’ stated that he still had two fights left on his UFC contract, but the way he spoke made it clear that they were no longer his top priority. “Last week something happened to me,” he explained, referring to his meeting with Trump. “My heart bleeds for my country right now.” And if there’s something we know after years of following the sport, that’s not something you say when you are preparing for a major comeback. Then there’s the Alcatraz fight—he was offered a spot there in June but declined, saying it wasn’t the right time. We are talking about Conor McGregor. A man who will never turn down a large sum of money until he has a stronger reason to.
So, what happens next? If he does indeed walk away, the UFC loses its biggest star, and Dana White is forced to figure out how to replace the void. Whether you love him or hate him, Conor McGregor is the guy who draws a major crowd. Without him, the fight game won’t feel right. But let’s not forget that this is McGregor we’re talking about, and he’s unpredictable. Perhaps he surprises everyone with a surprise bout announcement, or ‘The Notorious’ dives headfirst into politics. In any case, the waiting game continues, leaving fans wondering if they’ve already seen the Irishman fight for the final time. What do you think? Will Conor McGregor make his return to the UFC? Let us know in the comments.
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