Joe Rogan gives honest reaction to Conor McGregor's cocaine admission and possibility of return after Nikita Hand assault verdict

Joe Rogan has expressed significant doubt regarding Conor McGregor's future in the UFC following the Irishman's recent admission of cocaine use and his ongoing legal troubles. McGregor, who has not fought since 2021, has been embroiled in a civil lawsuit stemming from accusations of sexual assault by Nikita Hand in 2018.

Despite McGregor's persistent denial of the charges, a jury found him liable for the assault last month. Rogan, reflecting on McGregor’s personal struggles, noted that the fighter's admission of using cocaine during this period raises serious concerns about his mental state and readiness for a UFC return.

Rogan pointed out that McGregor’s behavior, including partying and drug use, suggests that he may not be in the right mindset to return to action. Speaking with fitness educator Derek on The Joe Rogan Experience, the UFC color commentator said:

“I don’t know if Conor’s ever going to fight again. [I don’t] know the real details of that case. [And] I know his version of it, and her version of it, and what played out in the court, but the reality is that guy’s partying, and he’s partying real hard, and he talked about it in the court case."

He added:

"He was talking about cocaine. That was the whole thing... [McGregor said] ‘We were doing cocaine'… He likes coke. We’ve all seen Conor get beat up and knocked out. We’ve seen Conor’s sparring footage. He’s sparring pro boxers, he’s sparring elite fighters. You’re getting hit in the head a lot. A lot of fighters, especially toward the ends of their careers, turn to drugs."

Check out Joe Rogan's comments below (1:11:20):

McGregor had previously teased a comeback, including a potential showdown with Michael Chandler, but his legal and personal issues complicate matters further.

Several fighters, including UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, have suggested that McGregor might be losing credibility among other fighters, especially with his recent antics. Muhammad claims the Irishman is clinging to relevance by inserting his name in big fights, despite his alleged declining status in the sport.