Brazilian Rafael dos Anjos, 31, defends his lightweight championship against 32-year-old American Donald Cerrone next weekend.
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With his golden tongue and slick fighting skills, McGregor was already a bona fide MMA star with flashy cars and stylish suits. Only this time, it’s because he’s the undisputed featherweight champion and the biggest star in the sport.
“I’m bringing in these half a billion dollar revenues, like the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight has done”.
“I always giggle. Every time on the scales, everyone says “it’s the worst I’ve ever seen him – he’d better rehydrate right or he’s in a lot of trouble”. He felt the pressure like he’d never felt before because he was facing me”.
“I respect Jose”, he added. None of Conor’s shenanigans got to him. However, as he pointed out himself, McGregor’s precision and timing made the difference, both coming out hardly battered with the fast turn of events. His movement is silky smooth.
But this isn’t just the ascent of a new champion, like when Holm took the belt from Rousey or as Luke Rockhold did against Chris Weidman in the UFC 194 co-main event on Saturday. I understand why previously they would have fighters do that, because many fighters don’t fight as frequently as I do.
The UFC laid out two possible scenarios for McGregor.
“My girlfriend worked very hard throughout the years and stuck by me when I had essentially nothing”, McGregor said.
“I feel for Jose”, McGregor said after fight, via ESPN.com. “That’s not happening. There will be a belt on one shoulder and a belt on the other shoulder”, he said.
But we think the Irishman has a bit more business left at featherweight and what more does Frankie Edgar have to do to earn another title shot? I’m not just going to beat Jose.
The UFC 194 card set a new USA record gate of $10.1million (£6.67m) and could also break the company’s pay-per-view record of around 1.5m buys.
McGregor speaks at a post-fight press conference.
Because at the end of the day, whether you like it or not, the ball is now exclusively in McGregor’s court. “It’s going to be a green Christmas in Las Vegas, that’s for sure”.
He has become a fan favourite – particularly among his countrymen, who filled Vegas’ casinos with songs and revelry before and after his victory over Mendes.
He opened his UFC account with a 67-second win over Marcus Brimmage in April 2013.
Chris Weidman’s reign as 185 lb kingpin wasn’t quite long enough to warrant an immediate rematch so we’d like to see Romero get the chance before he turns 40. Then they found out about SBG and started training there.
“When Aldo came in with the straight, Conor stepped back”. McGregor admits he was getting in trouble, owing money to “the wrong kind of people”.
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McGregor insists he can continue to make 145 pounds and remain at featherweight.
