Jorge Masvidal believes Conor McGregor’s biggest problem has nothing to do with fighting. The former UFC contender also compared McGregor’s lifestyle to that of another legend while discussing the demands of staying elite in mixed martial arts.
McGregor has not competed since his 2021 defeat at UFC 264. Injuries and long breaks have delayed his return, while his life outside the sport continues to attract the attention of past professionals like Masvidal.
Masvidal praises Holloway’s discipline
During an interview with UFConParamount, Masvidal said lifestyle choices often determine how long fighters remain successful at the highest level. He contrasted McGregor with Max Holloway’s conservative lifestyle, which, Masvidal thinks, could decide the clash between the two fighters.
“It’s also the lifestyle. I think Conor lives a certain lifestyle we’ve all seen and you can tell it’s not for show and it’s really his lifestyle.
Max lives a completely different lifestyle. I’ve never seen Max at the club drunk. You never see him in the headlines for anything bad. That guy lives a different life where he is in the gym, family, gym family.
I think that’s gonna pay the biggest dividends. Cause you can be away from the sport for five years and come back like nothing happened, if you live that life.”
The former BMF champion explained that fighters can overcome long layoffs if they maintain discipline away from competition. Masvidal’s comments suggest the Irish fighter’s toughest opponent may be within his very lifestyle, rather than a separate fighter within the octagon. However, despite Masvidal’s candid take and McGregor’s prolonged absence from active fights, the Irishman remains one of the UFC’s biggest stars.
