UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has called into question Conor McGregor's desire to return to the top of the sport.
Ngannou, who himself has tasted the fame and fortune that comes with reaching the summit of MMA, believes that the Irishman will struggle to reclaim his former glory.
McGregor is a two-weight world champion in the UFC, the first man to hold both belts at the same time after winning the featherweight and lightweight titles within 11 months.
And despite feeling that McGregor is well capable of accomplishing the monumental comeback, Ngannou has questioned if it is the path he will take.
"There is always a chance to re-establish ourselves as long as you want it," Ngannou said in a recent video on his YouTube channel. "The problem is, does he really want that?
"When I watched his last fight against Poirier, it was pretty good because you can see the confidence on Conor.
"He tried several submissions in certain position. He's been there [at top] and knows exactly what it takes to get there again."
But Ngannou is a big fan of McGregor's, and believes that he is still at the top in one aspect of the fight game; trash talking.
Cameroonian Ngannou only learned English after signing with the UFC at the end of 2019, having initially spoken French and Ngemba.
And he admires McGregor's style, both as a fighter and a talker outside of the cage.
" Conor McGregor is a very good fighter," he continued.
"We can say whatever we want because he has not won a fight [in a while]. But when you watch a Conor fight, his style and everything is great.
"Man, he has something else. He is unique on his way of carrying himself. You know, sometimes people lose fights and then just lose confidence and shut up.
"The guy is always there, going after people and saying stuff, he's very high level of trash talk.
Ngannou will have his first test as world champion next month at UFC 270 in Anaheim, California where he will face former training partner Ciryl Gane.
Who wins at UFC 270, Ciryl Gane or Francis Ngannou? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below!
Frenchman Gane worked with Ngannou in Paris during his early career, and has yet to lose a fight in his professional MMA career which began in 2018.
And the pair are neck-and-neck with the bookies, with Ngannou's famous power having knocked out all but one of his UFC opponents to date.
But Gane is the more technical fighter, with a footwork that many believe is going to prove the deciding factor against the more aggressive Ngannou.
Meanwhile, McGregor's octagon return date is expected to take place later in the year, with lightweight champion Charles Oliveira a possible opponent much to the chagrin of the rest of the division.
He has lost three of his last four fights since first taking the belt from Eddie Alvarez; a statistic that would be four of five if you included his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
