Conor McGregor continues to play games with the fans in regards to comeback talk.

Replying to a comment on social media suggesting that his wealth and success have made it unnecessary for him to fight again, the former two-division UFC champion replied, “Ya know what, you’re right, good bye.”

The brief response shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to anyone that has followed McGregor’s career as he has teased retirement in the past on multiple occasions, only to walk back his statement (and sometimes delete the comment). As it stands, the 36-year-old has not fought since UFC 264 in July 2021, when he broke his leg in a loss to longtime rival Dustin Poirier.

After taking time off to deal with the injury, McGregor coached a season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite Michael Chandler and was supposed to fight Chandler at UFC 303 this past June. However, McGregor withdrew from the bout due to injury and Chandler has since moved on to a rematch with Charles Oliveira set for UFC 309.

McGregor has also expressed an interest in competing for BKFC, the bare-knuckle boxing organization of which he is currently a part owner.

No firm timetable has been given for McGregor’s next fight, with UFC CEO Dana White most recently stating he expects “The Notorious” to return sometime in 2025.

The Maryland Miracle won the weekend, with the Commanders topping the Bears in a battle of top draft picks, but it was a pair of losses that shake up my rankings this week. The Vikings and Ravens suffered disappointing defeats, leaving openings for the Texans and Packers to slide up. 

The Chiefs and Lions, meanwhile, continue to hold firm to the top spots. And there’s something brewing at the bottom of the Top 10, with the Bills and Eagles showing that they could be teams to reckon with in the second half. 

Here’s my Top 10 for Week 8 of the 2024 season.

1. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week: 1

Andy Reid’s squad lacks the flash of some of his previous championship teams, but it keeps stacking wins against quality competition. Led by a disruptive defense that creates turnovers and splash plays, the Chiefs can rely on Chris Jones & Co. to make enough game-changing plays to sustain the squad until Patrick Mahomes regains his MVP form. Considering the Chiefs have raced out to a 7-0 start without No. 15 playing his best ball, the rest of the league should pay close attention to how the defending champs are getting it done without relying extensively on the quarterback to make it happen each week. 

2. Detroit Lions
Last week: 2

Dan Campbell’s team specializes in punching opponents in the mouth behind a dominant offensive line and destructive defensive front. Though Detroit’s dynamic skill players routinely grab the headlines, the blue-collar frontline players set the tone for a team built on grit and toughness. With the Lions’ trench play capable of masking some inconsistencies on the perimeter, the NFC’s top team looks like a formidable title contender.

3. Houston Texans
Last week: 7

Joe Mixon’s re-emergence as a high-end back has elevated an offense sputtering without Nico Collins in the lineup. Mixon has four 100-yard games in five starts, flashing the strength, power and explosiveness that earned him Pro Bowl honors in 2021. As the Texans rely on a balanced offense to take the load off C.J. Stroud and complement an opportunistic defensive unit that suffocates opponents, Mixon’s production as the No. 1 back is critical to the team’s strong start. 

4. Green Bay Packers
Last week: 6

Malik Willis does not look like the same QB prospect who flamed out in Tennessee as a third-round pick. The third-year pro filled in admirably for Jordan Love (groin injury) as an emergency sub in Week 8 with a strong second-half culminating in a game-winning drive. Given the Packers’ turnover-obsessed defense and adaptable offense, Matt LaFleur has a team that can win in various ways. 

5. Washington Commanders
Last week: 5

The legend of Jayden Daniels continues to grow, with the Hail Mary cementing his superhero status. The dynamic dual-threat can single-handedly carry the Commanders to a win with or without his supporting cast playing up to par. As Dan Quinn continues to tweak the defensive lineup and tactics to maximize his personnel, the Commanders can rest easy knowing No. 5 can throw on his cape and rescue them from any situation. 

6. Minnesota Vikings
Last week: 3

Back-to-back losses have led to some concerns over the Vikings’ ultra-aggressive pressure tactics. The defense has given up too many big plays in crucial moments due to blown assignments or misaligned defenders. Though DC Brian Flores has dialed back the pressure to balance out his approach, the defense needs to get back on track before the rest of the division leaves the Vikings in the dust. 

7. Baltimore Ravens
Last week: 4

A disappointing loss to a bitter division rival raises concerns over Baltimore’s defensive performance. The secondary is surrendering big plays at an alarming rate, with the pass rush unable to mask the inconsistent coverage. Though John Harbaugh has made some lineup changes and added a mentor to help DC Zachary Orr fix the problems, the Ravens defense could keep them from challenging the heavyweights in the AFC. 

8. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week: 8

A win over the New York Giants on Monday night would keep the Steelers in the hunt as a dark-horse contender. As Russell Wilson gets more comfortable running the offense as the new QB1, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith could expand the playbook to add more diversity to a unit that has relied on a ground-and-pound approach in the first half of the season. 

9. Buffalo Bills
Last week: 9

Don’t look now, but the Bills are becoming the juggernaut that some envisioned when Josh Allen stepped onto the scene. The MVP candidate challenges defenses with his unique talents as a dual-threat playmaker on the perimeter. Whether throwing lasers to an unheralded cast of pass-catchers or rumbling between the tackles on designed QB runs, the 6-foot-5, 237-pounder is an unstoppable force with the ball in his hands. 

10. Philadelphia Eagles
Last week: Not in Top 10

It has taken the Eagles a little longer than expected to find their identity, but the Jalen Hurts–Saquon Barkley combination has helped the team get back to its roots as a grind-it-out squad with big-play potential. The duo’s physicality and dominance as runners set the tone for an offense at its best when pushing opponents around at the point of attack. With the defense rounding into form under Vic Fangio, the Eagles again look like a potential title contender. 

Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the “Moving the Sticks” podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

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Israel Adesanya didn’t expect to have his name called on Saturday night.

Following Shara Magomedov’s amazing double backfist knockout of Armen Petrosyan that kicked off the UFC 308 main card, Magomedov—popularly known as “Shara Bullet”—declared himself the best striker in the middleweight division and targeted Adesanya for his next fight.

In a reaction video posted to his YouTube, Adesanya evoked a pair of memes to react to the callout.

“Keep my name out your f*cking mouth,” Adesanya said with a laugh, bringing up the famous clip of Will Smith threatening Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony.

He then added, “What the f*ck did I do? What he say f*ck me, for?” a reference to rapper 50 Cent’s confused reaction to being verbally attacked by boxer Floyd Mayweather in 2014.

According to Magomedov, he has been pursuing a bout with Adesanya since the two were competitors on the Chinese kickboxing circuit. That might be news to Adesanya, who didn’t appear to acknowledge any prior history with the undefeated contender.

Adesanya, a two-time UFC champion, is coming off of a submission loss to rival Dricus du Plessis this past August. He was attempting to win the middleweight title a third time, but instead lost for the third time in four fights.

Watch Adesanya’s UFC 308 reaction video below.

ABU DHABI – UFC 308 marked a pair of fresh experiences for Kennedy Nzechukwu.

Nzechukwu (13-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) made his divisional debut Saturday at heavyweight as he defeated Chris Barnett (23-9 MMA, 2-3 UFC) via first-round TKO at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

The fight ended due in part to an injury to Barnett’s leg, but Nzcehukwu was still happy to simply get his feet wet in his new competitive frame.

“It was since my doctors told me that with my frame, my organs were going to hurt me in the long run,” Nzechukwu told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I was vomiting every time during fight week. Just cutting that last 10 pounds was killing me. I walk around at 245. Just cutting that 40 pounds is too much. I use different nutritionists and it just wasn’t working. The last three days were hell, so we decided to go up in weight. It just felt better here.”

Nzechukwu, who previously needed to hit 206 pounds on the scale at light heavyweight, weighed in at 241 pounds at Friday’s weigh-ins. Nzechukwu said his focus was on strength training during this camp, which he did mostly with a new coach, Steven Wright, of War Room MMA in Forth Worth, Texas. Nzcheukwu’s longtime coach Sayif Saud, of Fortis MMA, also cornered him for Saturday’s fight.

“I just had to focus on my skill set,” Nzechukwu said. “Athleticism can only take you so far in this sport. So just upgrading. That’s when I moved to War Room. That’s my coach right there, Steven Wright. He’s been helping me. We’ve been making tremendous leaps and bounds. I’m just grateful for God.”

“… I just needed to upgrade. I needed someone who is nerdy about the striking game. Ask coach Steve and he just knows it. He’s been training and trains with a lot of different Dutch fighters, Thai fighters. He just has developed a lot of experience over the years. I just need to absorb all that.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.