Conor McGregor Wishes Fighters Would Stop Crying & Moaning
UFC 205 is just weeks away now. The historic Madison Square Garden pay-per-view has arguably the greatest line-up of any show in UFC history, with a main event to die for. Clashing in the top spot in New York will be lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and Irish sensation Conor McGregor. Leaving the featherweight belt on hold for the third straight fight, ‘The Notorious’ looks to make history. Becoming the first champ to hold UFC belts in two weight classes at one time would be huge. Following the announcement of this titanic main event came a number of complaints from fellow fighters.
Arguing about title shots comes with the territory, but recently it’s been much more of a hot topic. Interim champion Jose Aldo has essentially retired over the UFC’s decision to book Alvarez vs. McGregor. Also outraged by he UFC 205 main event is number one lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov. When money is king, feelings are bound to be hurt, and rankings become less relevant by the day. Opposing this argument over rankings is the debate about exposure, and how these super fights involving the biggest stars help the sport grow as a whole.
McGregor’s Thoughts
Standing at the forefront of this typically wild saga is the UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor. Speaking with Sports Illustrated this week, ‘The Notorious’ urges his fellow fighters to stop complaining, and get on board with the way the promotion is headed:
“Tell me one time that crying and moaning, tell me one time that’s good for progression. It’s not,” he told SI by phone while promoting his role in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. “Where would you be if I wasn’t here? Be grateful that you’re even in the conversation.
“Keep your head down, keep working, stay focused, stay positive, that’s the way to go forward. Not crying, moaning, complaining. I can’t engage in that. I wish them well, but I’m on something different here.”
McGregor on Media
As he awaits the biggest fight of his career, potentially the most pivotal in UFC history given the ramifications, Conor McGregor discusses the media. The Irish striker says sour grapes cause him to be cast in a somewhat negative light:
“I’ll always listen to the correct business move and I’ll always do what is the correct move,” he added, “but let me do it and let me go back and look at some pictures of me with two belts and let me embrace it for half-a-day.”
“It’s the media that’s making this,” he said. “Let me look at the historic images we’re going to get on this night, me with these two belts. That’s what everyone should be excited about, this is history.”
“Everyone wants to see you do good, but not better than them,” he said. “That’s what’s happening here. I’m just looking forward to raising the belts, and doing what has not been done before.
“Don’t be trying to take away the historic moment before I’ve even experienced it.”
