Conor McGregor is beginning to revive the fire that made him a UFC megastar — and responsible for lines like “who the f** is that guy?” — as the countdown to Sunday’s blockbuster Las Vegas comeback continues.
Only a day after taking aim at Australian UFC featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski, the returning Irishman – who faces Max Holloway at UFC 329 – has now gone and branded UFC White House hero Justin Gaethje a “f***ing bum”.
UFC 329: McGregor v Holloway 2 | SUN 12 JULY 11AM AEST | Conor McGregor is back. The Irish superstar takes on the always dangerous Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
The sledge comes as McGregor has also opened up on his battles with alcohol and the “truth” around being found liable, in 2024, for a sexual assault against Irishwoman Nikita Hand.
“I’m an innocent man,” McGregor said. “And I’ll stand for my innocence until the day I go out.”
But when it comes to building up Sunday’s blockbuster … well, the old McGregor is starting to show himself.
Understanding that fresh off Gaethje’s upset win against Ilia Topuria on the South Lawn in June, the new UFC lightweight champ has no shortage of first up defence options.
Among them, of course, could be McGregor should he go and cause a boilover of his own against Holloway, and after five years out of the sport.
Speaking recently, Gaethje revealed how he will not only be front row for Sunday’s T-Mobile Arena showdown, but would happily defend next up against ‘The Notorious’, saying: “I would love to punch Conor McGregor in the face.”
However, speaking at this week’s UFC media day in Las Vegas, the fighter dubbed Mystic Mac took the big stick to Gaethje, reminding in particular about the American’s previous KO loss against Holloway at UFC 300.
So while initially taking an introspective approach to most media interviews, McGregor now appears to be ramping things up as he rolls towards that other arena where he has long starred — a fight week press conference.
Asked about the UFC lightweight champ wanting to punch his famed melon, McGregor replied: “Join the queue … there’s a few”.
“And look,” the Irishman then continued, “he has the lightweight belt, fair play to him. [But] Holloway put him face down, ass up though. Badly. Badly face down.
“So I’m not even thinking of it at this time. Would I go down to lightweight again? Also that’s another thing I’m not so sure. I fancy the triple crown. Less with the disrespect, you f***ing bum.”
The “triple crown” refers to McGregor potentially adding a third title to his collection after previously holding gold at lightweight and featherweight.
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Elsewhere at media day, McGregor was quizzed over the concerns many have with his return to the sport, especially given two years ago he was found liable for a 2018 sexual assault on Hand in a Dublin hotel room.
“I’m an innocent man,” McGregor said. “And I’ll stand for my innocence until the day I go out.
“That is still a situation where I fight.
“There’s a reason where it didn’t go where it went, and went to a civil trial. It is what it is. It stings deep. I continue to fight. I know the truth, and I know that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.
“I know anything done in darkness will soon come to light, and I trust in God that it’s coming. You best believe it’s coming. I look very, very forward to the day.”
McGregor also opened up on his battles with the booze in 2017 – and shortly after his blockbuster crossover boxing match with Floyd Mayweather – which also coincided with his launching of Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey.
“You know in 2017, (I’m) a double-weight world champion, Floyd Mayweather-banked,” McGregor said.
“Then I launch an Irish whiskey.
“I didn’t drink heavily if at all at that time in my life. I was an athlete at the top of my game.
“Next thing you know, there’s thousands upon thousands of bottles in my garage – ‘sell this, Conor’. OK.
“I’d leave my property with two bottles under my arm. That was it. I was caught. That’s it.
“God gave me these lessons. I was trapped and caught. It is what it is. I trust in God. I trust in my journey. I trust in the truth. If the world is against the truth, then I am against the world. That is where I stand.”
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McGregor also responded to those doubting his return to the Octagon as a fighter.
Incredibly, he is coming back after having not competed in combat sports since July 2021, when he broke his leg in a bout against Dustin Poirier.
“Nothing better than proving people wrong,” McGregor said at media day of the critics.
“People are entitled to their opinion. Some are valid. There’s some questions. Time out. Injury. Lifestyle. I know. There you go. Let’s go.
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“We’re going to go in and shut them all up again. The business is on the rise. The money is coming in. Get into this game, we’re rocking and rolling. ‘The Mac’ is back.”
While it has now been 10 years since McGregor claimed ‘Champ Champ’, the returning star insists big things are coming after Sunday.
“Shake up the game,” he said. “Shake up the business for sure. Prove myself. To myself, I am who I say I am. I am that I am.”