Conor McGregor’s viral training video sparks huge reaction as CUFC legend hael Sonnen weighs in
Conor McGregor has not fought since 2021, but the former UFC champion is preparing for a potential comeback – with the Irishman sharing a training video that has gone viral online
Conor McGregor training ahead of a potential return to the cage
Conor McGregor’s recent training footage has captured attention worldwide, with UFC icon Chael Sonnen among those taking notice.
The Irish fighter hasn’t stepped into the octagon since his defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. McGregor was slated for a highly anticipated return last year against former Bellator champion Michael Chandler, but had to withdraw from the bout due to a training injury.
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump voiced his interest in hosting a UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House in 2026 – a proposal that ultimately received approval from UFC boss Dana White. McGregor wasted no time putting himself forward as a potential participant for the card.
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McGregor intensifying preparations
In recent months, the former two-division UFC titleholder has intensified his preparation as discussions about his octagon return continue. The 37-year-old recently shared footage on social media, displaying his shadow boxing skills and remarkable hand speed.
Conor McGregor and longtime coach John Kavanagh(Image: thenotoriousmma/X)
The clip rapidly gained traction online and drew praise from Sonnen, who commented: “Best video he’s put out in 3 years. Impressive,” reports All Out Fighting.
Fans also rushed to share their thoughts in the comments, with one user declaring: “Bro that Conor clip was the hardest thing he’s dropped in YEARS.
“The man looked like he woke up possessed by the ghost of his 2015 self, moving sharp, explosive, dialed in,” one fan observed, while another simply stated: “Looks good.”
Fans praise the video
A third chimed in: “Sorry but people saying his form and speed is off you do not know anything about fighting. His moving good like what you expect?” Another fan predicted: “Chandler is getting sent to the shadow realm.”
McGregor’s comeback plans hit a snag when he was slapped with an 18-month ban for missing three drug tests in 2024. Initially facing a two-year suspension that would have kept him out of next June’s event, McGregor’s ban will now end on March 20.
John Kavanagh, McGregor’s long-time coach, recently confirmed on The Ariel Helwani Show that the fighter is fully committed to training and preparing for the White House card next June. “We’re 100 per cent in,” Kavanagh declared.
“He’s asked me to basically lay out a program between now and June of how we’ll ramp up our training.
“He’s showing up again, he’s back in the gym most mornings, early, and yeah, he’s having fun with it… he wants to fight everybody. But certainly he wants to get on [the UFC White House] card, so how it works from a management point of view, that’s between them.
“I don’t really get involved in that, but from a training point of view, he’s already tasked me with putting together a team of suitable training partners. We’ll do some of it in the gym, some of it in his house. So he’s fully locked in that we’re going to be making the walk in – what is it, six, seven months?”.
Boost for Chandler
This news gives a significant boost to rival Chandler, who is eager to finally square off with the ‘Notorious. ‘ Chandler himself is growing more confident that a showdown will happen.
“We would definitely have to go out there, dot our I’s, cross our T’s,” Chandler told MMAFighting. “Go out there and not just beat Conor, but dominate him and just systematically and surgically break the man down.
“To be able to get draped in the stars and bars and get my hand raised right there on the White House lawn. I’ve dreamt about it. I’ve visualized it ever since this announcement was made that we were doing this fight on the White House lawn, and I believe it’s going to come to fruition.”
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When is the next UFC fight?
UFC 323 is set for December 6 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, featuring a bantamweight bout between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan as the main event. While official times are yet to be confirmed, expect the early prelims to start at 11pm UK time (3pm PT / 5pm CT / 6pm ET), with the prelims following at 1am UK time on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday).
The main card is set to kick off around 3am UK time on Sunday (7pm PT / 9pm CT / 10pm ET on Saturday). The headline bout between Dvalishvili and Yan is expected to go down around 5.30am UK time on Sunday.
While the fight shouldn’t start any later, it could be bumped up if the preliminary bouts wrap up ahead of schedule. Stateside fans can catch all the action live on TNT Sports.
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