- Conor McGregor looked freakish and sweaty as he spoke at the premiere in Texas
- The UFC star landed a role in the remake of cult classic Road House
- McGregor, 35, has not fought since July 2021 due to injury but will return
UFC star Conor McGregor has raised eyebrows with his erratic public appearance while promoting his new action film Road House alongside Hollywood superstar Jake Gyllenhaal.
McGregor, 35, has not fought since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in a second straight Octagon defeat at the hands of Dustin Poirier.
The Irishman is now believed to be back to full health and has expressed his desire to take part in International Fight Week in June.
However, UFC president Dana White has long remained coy about McGregor’s potential return to the sport, despite a fight with Michael Chandler being announced over a year ago.
And now the man they call ‘Notorious’ has become a talking point online following the film premiere of his action movie, which took place last Friday during the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.
UFC star Conor McGregor has raised eyebrows after an erratic public appearance (pictured) while promoting his film Road House
McGregor made his acting debut in Road House – and the UFC fighter impressed many critics in his performance alongside Jake Gyllenhaal (right)
And fans seemed to notice McGregor’s unusual behavior, noting his apparent change in skin color and erratic body language, so-called tell-tale signs.
Despite the rumors, McGregor – who made his acting debut in Road House – looked sharp as he wore a patterned jacket and matching fitted trousers.
It comes as UFC boss White refused to confirm when the sport’s first true global superstar will return – if at all.
“The first problem was he broke that tibia, and he was recovering from that,” White said. “The other problem is he’s damn rich. Conor doesn’t need money.’
Earlier this week it emerged that McGregor has been tested for drugs the most of all athletes in the UFC this year.
As he nears his return to the sport, he finally re-entered the testing pool in October and has been tested five times so far in 2024 – substantially more than anyone on the roster.
His lively performance at the premiere comes months after McGregor chatted animatedly with Cristiano Ronaldo at a boxing event in Saudi Arabia.
Conor McGregor was seen in an animated conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo
McGregor was acquitted of all criminal charges over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman during an NBA Finals game in June (pictured at the event)
McGregor always denied the allegations and his lawyer said he was ‘glad this is over’
In December, the Irishman sat next to the football star and the pair were in deep conversation during the boxing show.
As fans noted, it looked like the Irishman had a lot more to bring to the party as he dominated the chat.
In October 2023, McGregor was acquitted of all crimes criminal charges over allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman during a NBA Finals game in June of that year.
A woman claimed she met McGregor at a Miami Heat match and was leaving the arena when she claimed his security told her he was asking for her in the bathroom.
Once in the bathroom, she claims he forced her to perform oral sex on him and forcibly kissed her. McGregor has always denied the allegations.
McGregor won his first UFC title by knocking out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds for the featherweight championship in 2015.
Less than a year later, McGregor became the first simultaneous champion in two weight divisions by defeating Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight crown.
McGregor also gained recognition for his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather and fierce MMA rivalry with Poirier, Nate Diaz and Khabib Nurmagomedov.