Ben Askren expressed serious concerns about Conor McGregor’s UFC return. According to reports, McGregor is set to take on Michael Chandler sometime in late 2023 after both men served as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31. However, having been sidelined since he suffered a gruesome leg injury during his loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

McGregor will have been out of action for more than two years by the time the fight comes around. Askren is questioning not only which version of McGregor will turn up on fight night, but he’s also questioning whether the fight will happen at all.

Askren recently appeared on the Funky & The Champ show with Daniel Cormier and shared his concerns. He pointed out that Conor McGregor hasn’t been seen training for a while, he’s seen shows the former champion partying, dancing, and drinking.

Askren questioned McGregor’s commitment to the sport, wondering if he’s even taking it seriously anymore. He acknowledged that McGregor is a wealthy man and can do what he wants, but he’s concerned about whether he’s an elite fighter anymore and whether he can prove it to the world.

For Askren, it’s not just a matter of McGregor’s skills. He’s doubtful that the Irishman will ever fight regularly. McGregor recently stated that he planned to fight three or four times in the upcoming year, but Askren thinks that’s impossible.

Askren pointed out that McGregor has fought just four times in six years and is doubtful that he’ll fight more than once in 2023. He’s also skeptical about McGregor’s upcoming fight with Chandler, believing that it might not happen.

McGregor has been mostly absent from the UFC since becoming the promotion’s first simultaneous two-division champion in 2016. While he’s found success outside the cage with business ventures, his in-cage results have been mixed. He’s competed in MMA just four times since 2016, winning only once.

Askren highlighted that McGregor has only beaten one opponent who’s still in the UFC since 2014 and has a record of 1-3 in the last six years. For Askren, McGregor’s delusions of grandeur might lead him to believe that he’s still at the top of the heap. Michael Chandler, McGregor’s upcoming opponent, is a talented fighter, but his fights are often unpredictable.