In a moment that quickly went viral, MMA star Conor McGregor shared an eye-catching Instagram post on Thursday following the election of a new pope: Robert Francis Prevost, an American-born bishop who spent much of his clerical life in Peru. Prevost succeeds Pope Francis, who recently passed away, becoming the first American to hold the papacy. While much of the world responded solemnly to the historic transition, McGregor took a decidedly different route.
The former UFC champion posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the new pope, accompanied by one of his most infamous quotes: “Surprise, surprise, mo******er, the king is back!”
The post immediately drew attention—not just for its timing, but for the unmistakable McGregor flair. Bold, irreverent, and unapologetically on-brand, the gesture sparked debate online. Some viewed it as disrespectful or inappropriate; others saw it as classic McGregor showmanship.
Is McGregor teasing a comeback?
The post also raised speculation that McGregor might be hinting at a return to the octagon. The Irish fighter hasn’t competed since July 2021, when he suffered a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier due to a broken leg. That bout marked his second straight loss to Poirier and his third defeat in four fights.
Despite a professional record of 22 wins and 6 losses, McGregor’s recent career has been defined more by inactivity and injuries than by dominance. A planned comeback fight against Michael Chandler in 2024 was reportedly scrapped due to an undisclosed injury, leaving fans unsure if McGregor will fight again.
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But if history is any indicator, McGregor doesn’t make moves—or memes—without a motive. Whether it’s a joke, a statement, or a veiled announcement, the timing of his post was no coincidence.
McGregor’s recent fight history
- vs. Dustin Poirier – Loss (TKO via injury), UFC 264 – July 2021
- vs. Dustin Poirier – Loss (TKO), UFC 257 – January 2021
- vs. Donald Cerrone – Win (TKO), UFC 246 – January 2020
- vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov – Loss (Submission), UFC 229 – October 2018
- vs. Eddie Alvarez – Win (TKO), UFC 205 – November 2016
While it’s been nearly four years since McGregor stepped inside the cage, his ability to dominate headlines remains unmatched. Whether he’s promoting a sports fight or just having fun with AI, the “Notorious” one knows how to make the world take notice.
