Conor McGregor realises that he "needs to get his act together", believes Dana White.
McGregor makes his UFC return next month after well over a year away from the Octagon when he faces Donald Cerrone, and White says it's been hard for McGregor to "keep the train on the tracks" after his success in the sport.
The UFC President told the Stephen A. Smith show: “He has been training hard, he has been getting ready for this moment.
“The problem is you’ve seen this, not just in fighting but in other sports, when a guy has 100 and something million dollars, he’s young, he’s famous and now he is unbelievably rich, it is hard to keep the train on the tracks for some guys.
"That has definitely been Conor McGregor.
“I think he is at a point now where he realises he needs to get his act together.
"This win over ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone if he can pull it off is crucial in his career right now and his future. So, he is taking it very serious, he wants to stay active.
"That is why this fight is at 170 and hopefully we will get three good fights from him this year.”
Meanwhile, McGregor took on John Joe Nevin in an exhibition boxing bout ahead of his UFC return.
Two-time Olympian Nevin was a London 2012 silver medallist who has a record of 14 wins and no losses since turning pro in 2014.
Last month, Nevin won the vacant WBA International super-featherweight title with victory over Freddy Fonseca in London.
After the bout, McGregor took to social media to thank his compatriot for the fight.
He posted on Instagram: "Great exhibition bout at the Crumlin B.C. Christmas show against John Joe Nevin. Big lad is John Joe, thank you for the rounds! Happy Christmas."
