Chris Weidman thinks Conor McGregor will step back in the octagon again in the future, but he wouldn't be surprised if it takes up to two years.
UFC Hall of Famer and analyst Weidman was left as stunned as anyone else when the long-awaited comeback fight for McGregor (22-7 MMA, 10-5 UFC) against Max Holloway at UFC 329 ended in just 69 seconds after the former two-division champion tore his ACL and meniscus on the opening kick of the fight.
The dust has now settled, and McGregor confirmed he's torn both his ACL and meniscus and will require surgery. UFC CEO Dana White says "The Notorious" will be out at least one year, raising questions about if it's realistic to return.
Weidman hopes that for McGregor, because he thinks it's an important goal
to work toward beyond just the athletic achievement side.
"I'm one of these guys that gives people the benefit of the doubt and allows people to change their lives, and I'm open-minded to that. I really believe he's changing his life for the better," Weidman told MMA Junkie. "He's becoming a better human being. He's building his faith in god and he's staying away from alcohol and substances. I see all this stuff. I don't think it's BS. I know people are like, 'He's just trying to get us to believe in this stuff.' No, I actually do believe him and thinks it's a great place for him to be. I think he's very focused on making a comeback. He's not going out like that. He's too much of a star and thrives off of attention and love from the fans way too much to go into a fight and have it be that awful, and let down the fans that badly.
"It was such a letdown, the air just got stolen out of that building We did the desk show and I couldn't even talk anymore. … He's not going out like that. He's fighting again, for sure. Will we be as excited it believing that Conor can still do these amazing, vintage things he's done in the past? I don't think we're going to be sold like we were this time, but I think a lo of people are going to be excited and I think he's coming back."
Although Weidman has some confidence about the "if" side of a McGregor return, the "when" of it all is a much more opened-ended piece of the puzzle. Weidman has had more than 20 surgeries throughout his career, and with more age behind each one, he found it increasingly challenging to recovery.
Can McGregor make it back? Weidman is confident about that part, but he fears it might not happen until 2028.
"We're looking at nine to 12 months before he's doing full MMA training, like sparring and stuff and fully believing in that knee again," Weidman said. "Then hopefully they're able to get him in there quick, but the promotion and all that. Look how long we waited already. I don't know how long until he feels he's ready, then there's the right opponent. We could be at a year-and-a-half or two years before we see him again, unfortunately. I'm hoping I'm wrong."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Chris Weidman backs Conor McGregor's return effort: 'He's fighting again'
