Conor McGregor is ‘getting into the cash grab’ and not as hungry as he used to be, according to former MMA star Chael Sonnen.
It’s been over two years since ‘Notorious’ last fought, a defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021 that saw him break his leg.
A date is yet to be confirmed but McGregor eyes an April return against ChandlerCredit: Getty
McGregor looks as though he’s ready to seal his return to the Octagon soon though, with Michael Chandler being eyed as his next opponent in April.
However, a weight class for the fight is yet to be determined – both last fought at 155 pounds but they could enter at middleweight.
As a result, Sonnen has raised his concerns over the clash when he told MMA Junkie: “Never in history have we had a fight where we don’t have a weight class.
“That simply does not happen. There’s venues, there’s a lot of things – we don’t have a weight class and still don’t have a weight class.
“It still hasn’t been stated if Conor is going to 170 or 155 or do a catchweight. They went on Twitter and said they were going 185. I’m just sharing with you this is getting a little weird at this point.”
McGregor was spotted ringside at Tyson Fury’s controversial win over Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last weekend.
After such an appearance, Sonnen has questioned whether the Irishman’s ambitions to fight are financially driven.
“To see Michael Chandler training everyday, which he is, and to see Conor McGregor anywhere in the world except for a gym, which he’s never at, it’s one of those things like there is a money grab at some point,” he added.
“You will ask every fighter, ‘Why are you still fighting?’ And the answer if he tells the truth is because they’re still paying me. It feels as though Conor is getting into the cash grab.
“If he’s over there at [Saudi Arabia], he’s at the table with Manny Pacquiao, he’s trying to make a boxing match.
“Like I can’t blame him for doing these things, but there was a time in his career where he was hungry, youthful, active, and busy and could go do both of those things. That time was many years ago, and it just seems as though at some point we’re getting trolled.
“So, let’s see what happens. But he’s back in the pool; that’s a good sign. He’s fighting Chandler, they say, at a weight class they haven’t picked. No bout agreement has ever been signed that way.”
McGregor tried to fight Chandler at UFC 296 on December 16 but his recently resolved dispute UFC’s drug testing company has kept him out for 2023.
However during his trip to Saudi Arabia, he said he is ‘happy with April’ despite him wanting his return to be earlier.
