Sports
The Best Moments from Conor McGregor’s UFC 246 Press Conference
Conor McGregor returns at UFC 246.Chris Unger/Getty ImagesConor McGregor is back.The Irish superstar finally appeared in front of the media ahead of his upcoming main event battle against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Center, and the world as tuned via YouTube. McGregor, Cerrone and UFC president Dana White fielded questions in front…
Conor McGregor returns at UFC 246.Chris Unger/Getty Images
Conor McGregor is back.
The Irish superstar finally appeared in front of the media ahead of his upcoming main event battle against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Center, and the world as tuned via YouTube.
McGregor, Cerrone and UFC president Dana White fielded questions in front of a packed house at the UFC 246 press conference Wednesday evening at the Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
McGregor is winless in the UFC since 2016 when he defeated Eddie Alvarez to become the UFC’s original “champ champ” but the fighter remains the biggest draw in the sport.
Still, McGregor’s only MMA action in four years was losing to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov via fourth-round submission in October 2018. His only other work came during his 2017 megafight against Floyd Mayweather Jr inside a boxing ring. Mayweather stopped McGregor in the 10th round.
But now McGregor is back, and he almost seems like an entirely new person. His cordial, happy and downright gentlemanly disposition all but confirmed McGregor has a new lease on life headed into UFC 246.
Heck, McGregor somehow came off being just as likable as Cerrone.
Need more proof of his radical transformation? Well, in comparison to his past antics, even the best moments from the press conference were rather tame.
McGregor seems happier than ever.Chris Unger/Getty Images
New Year, New Conor?
There’s a new McGregor in 2020.
At least that’s what McGregor told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani earlier this week in an exclusive interview with the returning UFC megastar. But when asked Wednesday about his calm new demeanor, McGregor completely shied away from saying he was a changed man at all.
Well, sort of.
“You know, I have not changed too much, to be honest,” said McGregor. “I am who I am. I’ve always been. I don’t think I’ve changed too much. Granted different opponents, different circumstances.”
But later, when asked basically the same question in a slightly different way, McGregor said he felt like he had definitely grown wiser over recent months, which was the same thing the fighter told Helwani in the interview that dropped Monday on YouTube.
UFC @ufc
Has the ‘season' just begun? 👀 #UFC246 https://t.co/Hv7O1jFdqN
“You know, I’m certainly more grown and more experienced, and I’ve been through certain things that have helped shape me as a man, you know, like us all on this journey of life. But if you were to ask my family and my people that know me, I am no different,” said McGregor.
So judging by what he says, at least most recently, McGregor maybe doesn’t think he’s all that different than he was before.
But seeing the fighter warmly shake his opponent’s hand, constantly offer praise about Cerrone’s grand fighting career and his overall general pleasantness through the whole affair probably says something else.
Clear is Kind: Conor Reads Cowboy
The closest thing to an insult McGregor lobbed at Cerrone during the press conference (if you can even call it that) was when the 31-year-old likened Cerrone’s skillset to reading a children’s book.
“I can read Donald. You know, I like him a lot. He’s a good guy. But I can read Donald like a children's book, to be honest, you know,” said McGregor.
But even that was littered with compliments for Cerrone. It was almost as if McGregor was trying to blend his new way of being with the best parts of his old self. Regardless, McGregor was clear in the communication of his belief that he’s a level or two above Cerrone.
“He’s a good fighter,” said McGregor. “He's got some good tricks up his sleeve, but I know the tricks he has. I know what he’s planning, what he hopes to achieve, but we’re well prepared.”
Bleacher Report MMA @BR_MMA
“I can read Donald like a children's book. He's got some good tricks up his sleeve, but I know the tricks he has.” – Conor McGregor
(via @UFC)
https://t.co/CZC70PerpS
McGregor Doesn’t Dig Kamaru Usman’s Style
McGregor was asked about both UFC welterweight champion Kamru Usman and BMF champion Jorge Masvidal as potential next opponents. While McGregor has only competed twice in the UFC as a welterweight, splitting bouts against Nate Diaz in 2016, the fighter will be competing at 170 for the third time against Cerrone on Saturday night.
Additionally, McGregor seems to be in the best shape of his life right now at least judging by Instagram standards. Moreover, he’s been consistent in saying he intends to remain at the weight to compete there in some capacity during 2020.
McGregor said he was interested in both fights, saying both fighters appealed to him based on the title belts they wear around their waists. But stylistically, he said he’d lean toward fighting Masvidal over Usman because Masvida’s style would blend better with his own to produce compelling action.
UFC Europe @UFCEurope
Are we looking at the next BMF contender? 👀
@TheNotoriousMMA #TeamMcGregor #UFC246
📺 Watch #UFC246 on @BTSport Box Office this Sat! https://t.co/8qgHBAs0d3
Well, he said all that but said it the McGregor way, which was to blast Usman's tendency toward wrestling.
“The more exciting bout would be me and [Jorge] Masvidal,” McGregor said. “Usman has the style of Khabib [Nurmagomedov], the sniff-the-jockstrap style.”
Two things stand out about those comments. First, McGregor vs. Masvidal would be a huge event. Second, McGregor didn't watch Usman's win over Colby Covington at UFC 245, or at least all that closely, because there was nothing about Usman's performance that night that should make him unappealing.
Zuffa Boxing Deal Could Lead to Pacquiao vs. McGregor
Where McGregor couldn’t quite get through all 12 rounds against Mayweather in 2017, the fighter said he likes his chances with a few adjustments in the potential rematch. Moreover, he said he wanted to fight Manny Pacquiao, 41, from the Philippines, who also lost to Mayweather in 2015.
McGregor could be boxing again soon.Isaac Brekken/Associated Press
McGregor said he wanted to become a world titleholder in boxing before he retires, and Pacquiao’s WBA welterweight championship, which the boxer stunningly won last year against previously undefeated welterweight Keith Thurman, would certainly afford McGregor that chance.
On top of that, Pacquiao is the second biggest draw in the sport, behind only Mayweather who is currently retired.
Most interesting though is that McGregor seemed almost certain the potential fight against Pacquiao could become a reality. He was asked specifically about Dana White’s long-rumored Zuffa Boxing venture and McGregor’s eyes seemed to light up with joy at the prospect of fighting Pacquiao under that banner.
That, or it was the inner happiness of knowing something that was probably going to happen but couldn’t quite be revealed quite
Ocho Cinco Gets Betting Advice
Former Cincinnati Bengal wide receiver Chad Jonnson (aka Ocho Cinco) got the last word at the press conference.
Perhaps it was that the retired NFL player was the only person in the media that was also a celebrity. That or White recognized Johson was there covering the event for every UFC executive and fighter’s favorite sports and entertainment site, Bleacher Report.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
It's @ochocinco's first time betting on a UFC match…
@TheNotoriousMMA wants Ocho to put his money on him 💰 @br_betting https://t.co/JRAujdB1Hm
Or maybe it’s just that UFC president Dana White knew better than to cut things short before Johnson got to have his say.
Whatever the case, Johnson did something probably every bettor wishes they could do before ponying up their stake behind one fighter over another. He asked McGregor who to bet on before Saturday’s big fight.
McGregor, of course, told Johnson to back him. New, old or something in between, McGregor is the type who always believes he’ll win the fight.
Subscribe to Centenunlimited news
We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe
