“I’m Proud of Him” – Jon Jones Admires Conor McGregor’s Decision to Return After Five Years at UFC 329

When Conor McGregor suffered a leg break against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021, many believed the injury had effectively ended his fighting career. Those doubts only grew after he was forced to withdraw from his scheduled comeback against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 due to another toe injury, while a series of issues outside the Octagon further fueled speculation that the former two-division champion would never fight again. 

However, that narrative changed when Dana White officially announced McGregor’s return for UFC 329. McGregor is now set to headline International Fight Week on July 11 in a welterweight showdown against Max Holloway. After overcoming years of setbacks to make his return for the 29th professional fight of his career, the Irishman has earned the admiration of Jon Jones. 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Red Corner MMA, ‘Bones’ praised McGregor’s decision to step back into the Octagon despite having nothing left to prove financially. In the interview, Jones said, “Conor doesn’t need to fight. He has everything, and I respect the fact that he’s coming back to fight so much because it shows that he’s a fighter in his heart.”

Jones admitted that, after reaching the pinnacle of the sport, he chose to step away from competition. That, however, makes McGregor’s decision to return even more impressive in his eyes. Despite being the wealthiest fighter in MMA history and one of the sport’s biggest global stars, McGregor has chosen to compete again purely out of his love for fighting.

Jones added, “Me, I got to a certain level, and I decided to walk away. Conor, he’s back, and it just shows how much he loves the sport. It shows that he’s still that fighter despite having so much success. I’m rooting for him, and I’m proud of him, and I think he’s just great.”

The former heavyweight champion also credited McGregor for showing fighters that success can extend well beyond the Octagon. He pointed to the Irishman’s accomplishments as an entrepreneur, saying, “The businessman that he’s been for our sport teaches fighters that we can be more than just fighters. We could take our brand and do something special with it, which he did with Proper 12 whiskey and everything. I’m proud of Conor.”

“I’m a massive fan and I always will be.” – Jon Jones opens up about his admiration for Conor McGregor.

Jones said McGregor doesn’t need to fight because he’s already accomplished everything outside the cage. That’s what makes his return so admirable in Jones’ eyes, calling… pic.twitter.com/oX44Py7EIS

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) July 2, 2026

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McGregor has indeed transformed his UFC fame into a highly successful business portfolio, with ventures spanning whiskey, media, fashion, and other investments, helping him build an estimated net worth of around $200 million. The Irishman’s most lucrative entrepreneurial success remains Proper No. Twelve, the Irish whiskey brand he co-founded in 2018. 

Named after the Crumlin, Dublin 12 neighborhood where he grew up, the brand quickly became one of the fastest-rising names in the spirits industry. In 2021, McGregor and his partners sold their majority stake to Proximo Spirits in a deal reportedly worth up to $600 million, earning the former UFC champion an estimated $130 million to $150 million while continuing to serve as the face of the brand, ultimately severing ties in 2024. 

Beyond whiskey, McGregor has assembled an impressive business portfolio that stretches across multiple industries. He is a co-owner of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), owns the Black Forge Inn in Dublin, and has expanded into the fitness space through the McGregor FAST training system and TIDL Sport recovery spray. In July 2024, he also entered the music industry by co-founding Greenback Records.

McGregor established the Dublin-based label alongside music industry veterans Richard Buck, the former Head of Global Touring at TEG, and Julian O’Brien. His vision for Greenback Records was to overhaul the traditional music business by offering artists fairer, partnership-style deals that better reward their talent. The label made an immediate impact by signing hip-hop icon Xzibit, whose studio album Kingmaker marked his return after a 12-year hiatus.

Having headlined eight of the 10 highest-selling UFC pay-per-views of all time while earning nearly $100 million from his blockbuster boxing match against Floyd Mayweather, McGregor has undoubtedly cemented his legacy both inside and outside combat sports.

Despite the injuries, controversies, and setbacks that have marked the past few years of his career, the Irishman is now less than two weeks away from making his long-awaited return. Reacting to that, Jones concluded with, “I’m a massive fan, and I think I will be for the rest of my life. He has had a lot of struggles, ups and downs just like I have, but he always gets back on his feet, which is a huge example to so many out there.”

As for Jones, he has not competed since stopping Stipe Miocic to retain the heavyweight title at UFC 309 in November 2024. He showed little interest in facing Tom Aspinall and instead turned his attention toward a potential showdown with Alex Pereira. 

In the same interview, Jones also offered advice to Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev following their first professional losses while explaining what he believes went wrong for Pereira in his heavyweight debut at UFC Freedom 250. It remains to be seen whether Jones will eventually follow McGregor’s lead and make his own return to the fight game.