It was the Conor McGregor show Friday at UFC’s “Go Big” press conference — at least in his mind.
UFC’s biggest stars came out to Las Vegas for the event, with everyone from McGregor and his Dec. 12 opponent, Jose Aldo, to Ronda Rousey and her next opponent, Holly Holm.
But McGregor managed to outshine them all, as is the case whenever he enters a room. He’s the guy who always has an opinion, but he’s also the guy who wins. To a degree, he has earned the right to his arrogance.
He certainly showed that Friday. Here are the highlights:
— Rafael Dos Anjos was asked if he would accept a fight with McGregor.
That obviously stirred the pot a bit. McGregor responded with a hilarious rant about why anyone would be stupid to pass up a fight with him. Warning, this video contains NSFW language.
If “Break out the red panties!” isn’t the new “Pop the champagne!” then this entire press conference was a waste of time.
— Chad Mendes joined in on the chirping, but he obviously still seems a bit bitter about his UFC 189 loss to McGregor in July.
Mendes, of course, was the fill-in for Aldo, who backed out two weeks before the fight with a rib injury. Mendes put forth a valiant effort (and probably deserves a rematch with a full camp to train), and he appeared to have McGregor beat before the latter pounced on an opportunity and momentarily knocked Mendes unconscious for the TKO win.
McGregor largely blew Mendes off, saying he keeps making excuses and should accept that he lost.
— McGregor also has talked a big game all week, making headlinesfor calling Aldo a “Do-nothing b —-“ and claiming that once he runs through Aldo in December, he’ll jump up a weight class — unless Frankie Edgar accepts a fight with him.
McGregor reiterated those statements again Friday, and while Edgar didn’t bite on the challenge, he admitted he’d be stupid not to fight the Irishman.
— The highlight came, though, when Aldo finally had enough of McGregor.
Aldo apparently had to leave early because he is the best man in a wedding, but that angered McGregor, who was done listening. They had their staredown early, and it was eventful.
Here’s video of the staredown and ensuing “altercation,” if you will.
— Rousey wasn’t quite as exciting, but she was grateful for the opportunities afforded her and the other women of UFC.
She also reiterated things she has said earlier in the week: She’s not going to be fighting forever.
She doesn’t exactly know when she’ll retire, so …
Here’s her staredown with Holm, whom she’ll face at UFC 193 in November.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYyXZKDYQjY&w=640&h=360%5D
— Daniel Cormier is waiting for Jon “Bones” Jones to get his life together and make a UFC comeback. Jones has some legal issues to deal with, but Cormier is hoping for the best.
— In other news, UFC president Dana White made two announcements.
UFC 200 officially is scheduled for July 2016.
And some UFC 193 news.
It certainly was an entertaining afternoon for UFC fans leading into the UFC 191 weigh-ins. The much anticipated rematch between Demetrius Johnson and John Dodson takes place Saturday night at 10 p.m. ET.
Click here to watch UFC 191 >>
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@UFCONFOX
