Issue 184

November 2019

Conor McGregor has talked the talk, but now he needs to back it up

The best three words to come out of Conor McGregor's mouth in a long, long time. Not 'Proper 12 Whiskey', or any other quip that causes the MMA world to cringe and guffaw in tandem as the Irishman's flagrant humour and panache is broadcast out there again for our entertainment. No. Three perfect words from 'The Notorious One'. 

"Redemption, retribution, respect...". 

Three things that, put into practice, could elevate McGregor back to MMA's firmament and open up the portal to that genius being displayed once more in the Octagon; a chance to see if he really does still have 'it', the X-factor that saw him become a global star and put MMA on the map. For good or bad, better or worse. 

Truth is, McGregor's story is not yet complete, because we have not seen him climb back after the fall. He knows it We know it. Ariel Helwani, one must say, prised something deep out of Conor McG for ESPN coming up to the first anniversary of his defeat to nemesis, Khabib Nurmagomedov and the three years since that brilliant, second fight against Nate Diaz. 

Others are rising, and there is just the sense that McGregor is finally beginning to realize that – now into his 32nd year – time really is slipping away. That the time to earn more, to fight at his peak – if that has not passed already – is starting to run away from him. And that old foes, and even a few potential new ones, as he admits, are inspiring the heat in his body to return.

Pleasing to hear McGregor state that he was in the wrong for lashing out at another person in a pub. "That's not who I am. That's not the reason why I got into martial arts or studying combat sports," he said. "The reason I got into it was to defend against that type of scenario. I have been continually making steps to do better and be better." 

Well it's time to show that to the watching world and to fight again, licenced, sanctioned, at the level we once witnessed him, showing flair and genius

"I have to realize that's not the attitude or the behavior of a leader or a martial artist, of a champion. I must get my head screwed on and just get back in the game and fight for the things that made me the man I am. And that's what I will do." Hurrah to that.

Hurrah to this, too, with McGregor showing a regard for what has happened to so many fighters, admitting that he "must not go down that path, the written path, the cliché of the fighter that has it all and ruins it. "

It was pleasing, moreover, to hear McGregor refer to coach John Kavanagh as "a genius at the game", the Irish fighter insisting that having 'Kav' in his corner is "essential". All music to the ears of any MMA fan. 

But is it all believable? McGregor says he is having "long, hard (daily) discussions with myself" about family, schools for his children, not succumbing to "temptation" as he puts it, whatever those things are. Do we believe him? McGregor, in reality, is a man who never has to do a conventional day's work in his life again, nor indeed, ever get punched in the face, kicked in the torso, or choked on the mat. Of all the opponents out there, the style match-up that most likely appeals to McGregor, you would probably suspect, is Diaz, regardless of how good he looked (36 months to gather ring rust, bah!) against Anthony Pettis. Most money, best match-up stylistically, in spite of the fact that McGregor revealed he spoke to Dana White about fighting Frankie Edgar before the New Jersey fighter lost to Max Holloway, and that the Hawaiian, once more is "a fight I'm certainly interested in."  

Yet the door seems open for one of the most anticipated trilogy fights in MMA history. Diaz-McGregor simply doesn't need a title. But for now, MMA could do with the Conor McGregor circus back again. There is certainly a zing lacking in the sport without him.