Conor McGregor, preparing for his return to the octagon against Max Holloway at UFC 329, has adopted a new approach by abstaining from sex for the first time in his career leading up to a fight. McGregor announced this personal sacrifice on Wednesday, stating it's a new practice for his current training camp.
This decision marks a significant personal change for the fighter, who is set to compete for the first time since July 2021. That previous bout resulted in a severe leg injury, leading to surgery and an extensive rehabilitation period. McGregor's manager, Audie Attar, previously commented on the severity of the injury, noting the high risk of permanent mobility issues and doubts about a return to fighting.
McGregor has faced criticism for his reduced fighting activity since 2016, having competed only four times in that span. Recent reports have also surfaced regarding his use of banned substances to aid his recovery, with mentions from Dr. Neal Elattrache in The New York Times. According to the reporting, McGregor temporarily withdrew from the drug testing pool to facilitate his recovery with increased testosterone levels for bone fusion. McGregor married his longtime girlfriend Dee Devlin in December.
The fighter expressed a renewed sense of motivation, describing a "fire in my belly roaring" that he intends to unleash on Saturday night. This fight against Holloway marks his comeback after the challenging recovery and public scrutiny.