It has been over a year since Conor McGregor last stepped into the octagon, but he’ just days away from getting back into the mix with a fight against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. There have been questions concerning what type of shape McGregor given that he hasn’t had a match in quite some time. The 31-year-old has answered the bell on those inquiries voicing that he’s tremendous shape ready for the showdown on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Conor McGregor is in great physical shape

Fighting in an MMA match takes beyond skill to excel, but also a great deal of physical strength and conditioning to handle the rigors that come with the territory.

McGregor has taken a more serious approach to his training by taking better care of his body. That has included some influence from LeBron James’ commitment to his fitness and health.

It has led to McGregor reportedly being in the best physical shape of his career, as UFC president Dana White has voiced that UFC doctors have stated as much. White did express that “ring rust” could be a factor, but that will be tested in the octagon.

At the same time, there were also questions about McGregor choosing to fight Cerrone at 170 pounds instead of 155, where he has had the most success is a bit puzzling for some. Nonetheless, he looks to be headed into the tilt physically prepared.

Conor McGregor says he’s in the prime of his career

When McGregor decided to announce his retirement from the UFC last March, there were questions about whether he would get the itch to get back in the octagon.

That didn’t last long as the fight against Cerrone was announced in late November. During an interview with ESPN on Monday afternoon, McGregor voiced that the reason for his return was his love for the sport and competition that he wanted to take advantage of while he’s in the prime of his career.

“I’m in my prime. I just turned 31 years of age, and I have held two titles simultaneously in the past. I want to get back to what put me there: consistency, hard work, and consecutive bouts. That’s what I am back. I’m back for the love of it. I have a good fighter in Donald Cerrone in front of me and I am loving forward to it. I’m very excited.”

There is much truth to that as he’s in the physical prime of his career for the sport that gives him a chance to continue to fight at a high level. There will be doubts given that he hasn’t fought in a year, but it’s his chance to prove that he can rebound from the loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Donald Cerrone poses a tough challenge

It won’t be an easy path back to the UFC for McGregor as he’s set to face one of the most formidable fighters in the sport.

Cerrone has built a strong reputation as being a fighter who has shown no fear in facing any opponent throughout his career. He enters the match having lost his last two fights both by TKO, but doesn’t take away from the challenges that he presents.

Although McGregor has voiced that he will knockout Cerrone, that won’t be an easy task as the 36-year-old has won in a variety of ways in the octagon, both on the ground in submission holds and standing up in the center of the ring. Ultimately, all of this sets up what should be another entertaining main event matchup that sees one of the most thrilling MMA fighters finally back.