Conor McGregor hasn’t fought in the UFC for two years, but there was no ring rust on his trash talk during a press conference at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday to promote his much-anticipated return to the Octagon against unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov in Las Vegas.
The two will meet for Nurmagomedov’s UFC lightweight championship on Oct. 6 in a pay-per-view event at T-Mobile Arena. But on Thursday they spent more time arguing about the incident at the UFC 223 Media Day last April at Barclays Center, where McGregor threw a hand truck through a window of a bus with Nurmagomedov inside.
McGregor initially faced felony charges of assault, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, but copped to a disorderly conduct charge and was ordered to stay out of trouble for a year. Nurmagomedov, the target of McGregor’s anger, remained in the bus and was unharmed, which still seems to irritate McGregor.
“You were afraid,” the Irishman said, later adding, “I thank the Lord he didn’t have the [guts] to step off the bus. He would be in a box and I would be in a cell.”
Nurmagomedov accused McGregor of showing up with “40 people” to attack the bus.
“He showed weakness doing that,” Nurmagomedov said before turning to McGregor and vowing, “I’m going to destroy you. After this you’ll go back to boxing.”
McGregor, 30, hasn’t fought in the UFC since Nov. 12, 2016, when he stopped Eddie Alvarez in the second round to win the UFC lightweight title at Madison Square Garden. At the time, he was the UFC’s first champion to hold belts simultaneously in two divisions. He has since been stripped of both featherweight and lightweight titles because of his inactivity in MMA.
He took on Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match last August, making nearly $100 million, but was stopped in the 10th round. During a serious moment Thursday, McGregor said he learned some lessons in the Mayweather fight that will help him against Nurmagomedov.
“It was a great boxing match,” he said. “I learned some things. I was very happy with the experience. You’ll see on Oct. 6 the lessons I have learned.”
Nurmagomedov’s quick retort: “I’m the Floyd Mayweather of MMA. I’m the most dominant UFC fighter right now.”
Many would agree with him. The Russia native Nurmagomedov is 26-0 and hasn’t lost a round in his UFC career. While McGregor (21-3) is a superb striker who prefers the fight on his feet, Nurmagomedov is a brilliant grappler and will be looking to finish McGregor on the ground.
“I’m coming to smash this guy,” Nurmagomedov said.
McGregor doesn’t seem too concerned.
“He’s in over his head,” McGregor said. “I’m going to bully him and maul him. We’re ready for war. We’re ready to all outcomes and all situations. We’re going to go out and enjoy this contest. That why I’m doing it, because I love it.”
The UFC normally invites the public to its press conferences, but this event was only for accredited media, though Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis was in attendance.
“Where’s the fans at?” McGregor asked. “That’s who we fight for. That’s who pays the bills. I’m on probation up to my eyeballs and I’m coming to do this. Bring the fans here. That’s what they want.”
Why no fans?
“We’ve had problems in New York,” UFC president Dana White said. “I don’t want any problems in New York today.”
Asked why he came back to MMA, McGregor offered: “I came back to shut this man up, a little rat, a little weasel,” referring to Nurmagomedov.
McGregor, who took a swig of his Irish whiskey on stage, said a few other things that can’t be printed and probably made the hall of Radio City blush.
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