Conor McGregor Should Switch to Boxing, Says Dan Hooker After Brutal UFC 329 Loss

Conor McGregor suffered a brutal first-round knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 329, leaving many wondering about his future in the sport.

What happened?

Conor McGregor made his highly anticipated comeback to mixed martial arts at UFC 329, but it was short-lived. The Irishman faced off against Max Holloway in a welterweight rematch, but an injury to his leg less than a minute into the opening round forced him to stop fighting. Holloway ultimately won via first-round knockout.

Why it matters for Conor McGregor

Dan Hooker, a fellow UFC fighter, believes that McGregor's body may not be able to hold up in the MMA space. Hooker recently shared his thoughts on McGregor's loss, stating that MMA is a lot more taxing on the joints compared to boxing. He suggested that McGregor should consider a career switch to boxing, where he can earn a significant amount of money in his final years of fighting.

What comes next?

UFC President Dana White was asked about McGregor's future in the UFC after the loss. White admitted that he wasn't sure whether McGregor wanted to retire and said that he hadn't heard him mention it yet. White also stated that there are many unanswered questions surrounding McGregor's future, which will play out over the next several days.

In an interview with Submission Radio, Hooker said: "Boxing is a very difficult sport, but it is far less taxing on your body overall. I think boxers sustain a lot more head trauma than MMA fighters do... MMA is obviously a lot more taxing on your joints, and you get niggly on your ligaments or knees and your back and your neck... Maybe it's just getting to the point now where Conor's body can't hold up in the MMA space. They should just let him box and earn some crazy money in his last couple of years of fighting."

The toll of MMA on Conor McGregor's body

Hooker's comments highlight the physical demands of mixed martial arts on athletes like McGregor. The sport requires a high level of physical fitness, strength, and endurance, which can take a toll on the body over time. McGregor has suffered serious leg injuries in both of his previous two outings, which may indicate that his body is not able to withstand the demands of MMA.

McGregor's future in the UFC

The question of whether McGregor will continue to fight in the UFC remains uncertain. White's comments suggest that McGregor's future is still up in the air, and it will take some time to determine what he will do next. One thing is certain, however: McGregor's loss to Holloway has sparked a lot of discussion about his future in the sport.

The potential benefits of a career switch to boxing

Hooker's suggestion that McGregor should consider a career switch to boxing is an interesting one. Boxing is a highly lucrative sport, and McGregor could potentially earn a significant amount of money in his final years of fighting. However, it remains to be seen whether McGregor will take Hooker's advice and make the switch.