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Nicolas Atkin

Conor McGregor has been unusually quiet in the build-up to his highly anticipated UFC return against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on January 18.
Normally “The Notorious” is running his mouth on any medium he can find, driving up interest and pay-per-view buys, putting down his opponent at every opportunity, and creating new sound bites for his army of fans to lap up.
This time it’s been a little bit different.
The former featherweight and lightweight champion finally broke his silence this week, giving his first media interview – to The Mac Life, his in-house channel – since the fight was announced. And he clearly has an axe to grind.


“A lot of people forget about my skill base,” he said. “I’m gonna go in there and remind them.
“I don’t feel these people are on my level when I am committed. I have not been committed for a while, up until about a year ago. I started really committing myself. I look forward to coming back and showcasing my skills to the people.”
UFC: Khabib ‘trembling’ says Conor – ‘he can run, can’t hide’
That can only be bad news for “Cowboy”, but the veteran 36-year-old American (36-13, 1 no contest) is under no illusions.
“I expect the best Conor you guys have ever seen. I really do,” Cerrrone told MMAFighting.com. “He has so many doubters and questions that he needs to answer. I think he’s training extra hard, he’s coming and I think he’s going to be the best Conor you have ever seen.”
McGregor has not fought since an infamous October 2018 submission defeat by UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, a fight so heated it spilled outside the Octaton.

He put the loss down to a “horrendous” training camp, blaming himself for not having the right attitude, but says he has now made “corrections”.
“I’m very well prepared, my team has been phenomenal,” McGregor said. “I just feel good to be in this spot I’m in, I can focus on my skills, my strength, my endurance, build myself back up.
“That’s what allowed me to achieve what I achieved, the dual way championship. It was consistency, consecutive bouts, back to back. That’s what I’m looking to replicate again.”

Indeed, McGregor’s meteoric rise in the UFC seems a long time ago; tearing through the 145-pounds division at will; that 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo to become the undisputed featherweight king in 2015; the masterclass against Eddie Alvarez to become the “champ champ” almost a year later, after avenging his loss at 170 pounds to Nate Diaz.
In an interview with the Post last week, his manager Audie Attar admitted the mega-money boxing match against Floyd Mayweather brought “distractions”, which still seemed to be there in that loss to Khabib.
But now the focus seems restored – and that should be exciting for all MMA fans, and concerning for the lightweight and welterweight rosters.


“I want gold, and silverware, because that bad [expletive] belt is a silver one,” McGregor told The Mac Life, referencing the “BMF” championship held by Jorge Masvidal.
“It’s not the best looking belt. I’m after the gold at 155, 170, they’re the belts I’m chasing now.”
Don’t put it past him. “I’m really excited because I haven’t seen this in a couple of years,” Attar told the Post. “Just sit back and you’ll see a performance of an old Conor.”

That will be music to Dana White’s ears. The UFC president said 2019 was “the biggest year in the company’s history” – but throw three McGregor fights into the mix for 2020 and they should conceivably enjoy a big increase on those financial figures.
The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas reportedly sold out in five minutes, and it’s the fourth time in his career McGregor has commanded a gate of more than US$10 million.
So he’s maybe right to be annoyed that people are overlooking the return of the Mac. McGregor is still easily the biggest draw in the sport and, with his renewed focus, MMA could be in for another big mainstream boom period.


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Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor right to have an axe to grind with UFC fans – sleep on him at your peril

Conor McGregor is a former two-weight champion in the UFC. Photo: AFP

In this Dec. 12, 2015, file photo, Conor McGregor, left, fights Jose Aldo during a featherweight championship mixed martial arts bout at UFC 194 in Las Vegas. Aldo believes McGregor has no chance to accomplish a stunning upset of Floyd Mayweather when the fighters meet in a boxing match Aug. 26, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 06: Conor McGregor of Ireland is sits on the mat in the octagon after being defeated by Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia by submission in their UFC lightweight championship bout during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

(FILES) This file photo taken on November 11, 2016 shows Conor McGregor of Ireland as he celebrates his KO victory over Eddie Alvarez of the United States in their lightweight championship bout during the UFC 205 event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Floyd Mayweather taunted Conor McGregor over his failure to agree terms on their potential superfight on March 7, 2017, insisting once more he was ready to climb into a ring with the mixed martial arts star."If Conor McGregor really wants this fight to happen, stop blowing smoke up everybody's ass," Mayweather told ESPN, accusing the Irishman of stalling on a deal."Sign the paper. Sign the paper. You said you were boss, so just sign the paper and let's make it happen." / AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Michael Reaves

UFC: Khabib ‘trembling’ says Conor McGregor – ‘he can run, but he can’t hide’

Conor McGregor is escorted from the cage area after fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in Las Vegas. Photo: AP

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 06: Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia (L) chases down Conor McGregor of Ireland in their UFC lightweight championship bout during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Oct 6, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Khabib Nurmagomedov (red gloves) fights Conor McGregor (blue gloves) during UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

UFC: Conor McGregor says Justin Gaethje is on his list – ‘maybe I’ll face him next’

Conor McGregor returns to the UFC on January 18. Photo: AFP

UFC: Conor McGregor should wait in line – give Justin Gaethje his due, and a title shot

Conor McGregor shares his Irish whiskey with UFC president Dana White during the UFC 229 press conference in 2018 Photo: AFP

Justin Gaethje, right, celebrates his win over Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone following their lightweight match at UFC Fight Night in Vancouver, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2016, file photo, fighter Conor McGregor, right, is restrained by UFC president Dana White during a news conference ahead of the UFC 205 mixed martial arts fight between McGregor and Eddie Alvarez, not shown, at Madison Square Garden in New York. McGregor is facing criminal charges in the wake of a backstage melee he allegedly instigated on Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Barclays Center that has forced the removal of three fights from UFC's biggest card of the year. Dana White said Friday, April 6, he spoke to McGregor via text and the brawler said the confrontation was something that "had to be done."(AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Sep 14, 2019; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) defeats Donald Cerrone red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

UFC: Justin Gaethje has ‘no idea what Dana White is talking about’ after criticism

Justin Gaethje knocks down Donald Cerrone during UFC Fight Night at Rogers Arena. Photos: USA TODAY Sports

UFC: Conor McGregor on standby to face Khabib if Tony Ferguson fight falls through

Khabib Nurmagomedov fights Conor McGregor at UFC 229. Photo: USA TODAY Sports

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


Fans and fighters are forgetting about the Irishman’s skill base
‘I’m gonna go in there and remind them,’ he says – ‘I don’t feel these people are on my level when I’m committed’



UFC fans and fighters are forgetting about Conor McGregor’s skill base, and he plans to ‘go in there and remind them’ against Donald Cerrone.


Khabib Nurmagomedov

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


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The Takedown