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Speaker 2: (17:44)
Hey, just a quick one from me as the unofficial lightweight tournament commissioner, I just wanted to get available confirmation you guys, because listen, Charles Oliveira with the victory only over Tony Ferguson, he’s pretty much through to the semifinals. Now we’ve got Justin, you’ve probably just come into the mix, but of course it’s about you guys. The semifinal spots at stake, even if one or two, you come out of this weekend and fight for the title. I think most media fans, we want to crown a new undisputed lightweight champion by the end of the year. And I just want to get a quick confirmation-
Conor McGregor: (18:18) Book it, put me in. Book it, I’m in.
Speaker 2: (18:19) Yes. Michael, are you in?
Michael Chandler: (18:22) Book it.
Speaker 2: (18:22) Dan? Dustin?
Dustin Poirier: (18:26) Let’s go.
Speaker 2: (18:26) Dan?
Dan Hooker: (18:27) I didn’t even understand the question. Yeah, I’m in.
Speaker 2: (18:31)Thank you, Dana. You’re welcome.
Dana White: (18:35) All right.
Speaker 3: (18:36)
Hey Conor, you looked like you had something, you were about to say there when Dana was talking about the pay-per-view numbers. Why don’t you [crosstalk 00:08:40].
Conor McGregor: (18:41)
Yeah. It just goes without saying. You don’t go and come up and talk about EA Sports, UFC Selections and all this type of thing, when it comes to me. All the pay-per-views are treading. The Embedded has been record breaking again, it’s almost double. The first episode of the Embedded has almost double all of the other Embeddeds that came out in 2020 by one, McGregor Serone. So it’s trending in the right direction. I’m very excited about it. I’m very excited to get these guys on the platform here, you know what I mean? And like I said, and I’m happy to hear Chandler say this and Hooker say this, “Take your chances and reap the rewards here.” So that’s it, there’s going to be two cracker fights and I’m ready. And as the guy from BT said about the tournament, book it, we’re in and that’s amazing. Let’s go.
Audience Member 2: (19:27)
One more for you, Conor. I know you kind of said at the beginning, the narrative about your conditioning and everything going into this fight. Can you just expand on that? And why do you think there are those doubts about your cardio?
Conor McGregor: (19:37)
You know what, I think it’s a myth. Obviously I had the Diaz one, the first Diaz fight I went from feather weight and then a month or so later I was at welterweight, that’s obviously going to have impact and then there was other issues, but I think overall it’s a myth and it’s a myth that’s… It’s out there and that’s it. I hope we can answer it. And I will answer it in time. At some stage, I keep showing up here, someone’s going to be able to stay in the pocket with me and stay in there and fight with me. And I hope it’s this-
(20:02)
… go with me and stay in there and fight with me, and I hope it’s this Saturday night. Do I think so? I do not. I’m in some shape here at the minute and I’ll tell you this now, I am coming to put on a masterpiece. I’m excited about it.
Speaker 4: (20:17)
And just one for you, Dustin. I know you said prior to the fight with Dan there that you didn’t really like that there was a certain expectation that you would win going in, and you relish being, not underdog more. Can you just speak a little bit more to that? And do you feel at your most comfortable going into a fight like this?
Dustin Poirier: (20:31)
I’m not sure if I relish it, but of course I want to be cheered when I walk out. But I’m well acquainted with it and I know the feelings, and I’ve been in this position time and time again. That’s just it, I’m just acquainted with it.
Speaker 5: (20:49)
Hey. Question for Conor. How are you doing? I’ve enjoyed listening to you talk about getting the frame right for 155. And it struck me, it’s kind of crazy that you’ve only competed there twice. You’ve been in the UFC for, what, seven years? You’ve only competed at 155 pounds twice. Is that your ideal weight class, do you think? Do you think that’s where you operate at the highest level?
Conor McGregor: (21:09)
I’ve done pretty good in all the other ones as well. I’ve done good in them all. I’ve knocked secured belts in multiple divisions and I’ve secured knockout victories in multiple divisions. And I do feel great at this weight, but whatever I commit to I feel great at. When I do the welterweight belts, I feel great. I feel strong and big. I still feel this now. You know what I mean? I feel fast, also. So I’m excited to get in and showcase it. And like you said, I have not had that much fights at 155 pounds in the UFC, and I’m eager to put in a stint, to get a run going like I done with the featherweights. I think I went seven or eight fights within the space of a year and a half. That’s what I’m looking for here if they can match me up.
(21:51)
I know now we’ve got multiple opponents up on the dais already, so we’re in a good spot. And I’m eager to get going and showcase. I feel this is the best I have ever been for sure, and I’m at 155 pounds. but if I go back to 170 pounds, you best believe that’ll be the best yet also. So it is what it is.
Speaker 5: (22:11)
Yeah. And one Tweet that you… I don’t know exactly when you put it up but you said that after you won the 155 pound belt you wondered, maybe you should’ve jumped up and gone for that 170 pound belt right away. And I just wonder… Obviously things have worked out well for you. The Mayweather fight made you a whole lot of money, but have there ever been… Do you think about that sometimes? “What would have happened had I not left the sport?”
Conor McGregor: (22:30)
Yeah. Sometimes I think, “Man, I should’ve just stayed in the featherweight division and fought Ricardo Lamas and all those type of guys and I’ve just been in the featherweight division.” I always look to challenge myself and seek greater heights. And although I’ve been the champion at 155 pounds. I have not had much time at this weight in the UFC, and this is what I wish to do now.
Speaker 5: (22:57)
Last thing for you: I wouldn’t say the security team was necessarily concerned about it but they were very aware that you were going to be in the hotel this week at the same time as Khabib. And I was just wondering if that is still a warranted concern or have you guys past that part of your relationship that you could be in the lobby of a hotel and we wouldn’t have to worry about anything happening between you guys?
Conor McGregor: (23:18)
All of those events were 2018. It’s now 2021. What I will say is as long as we fight again, there’ll be no issue. And that’s it. If he continues to run, well then I’m not sure. We’ll see what happens.
Speaker 5: (23:37)
I’ve got one for you, Michael. Obviously you’ve been asked a lot about being in the new promotion and what it feels like to be in the UFC. I wonder what it feels like to be on the stage with these three gentlemen. And is this a different caliber of opposition that you’ve been in contact with throughout your career? Is there truth to that or do you feel like throughout your career, you have been amongst guys who are of the same skill level as these guys?
Michael Chandler: (23:58)
Overall, this is the toughest competition that I will ever face in my entire life. But I think when you look at my resume, when you look at my track record, guys like Eddie Alvarez, guys, like Benson Henderson, these are champions that were here in the UFC. Granted it was a couple of years later, but I’ve been competing at a high level since I was 14 years old, as I said. So I’ve been dreaming of this day or visualizing this day just in case it ever did come, and now I’m fully prepared to take the opportunity head on. And absolutely, all these guys are the best in the world. And the UFC lightweight division is the most hyped, most electrified, most energetic division in the UFC today. And it was a perfect time to insert my name into the mix.
Speaker 5: (24:42)Thanks guys.
Speaker 7: (24:45)
Hey. This question is for The Diamond, Dustin Poirier. You fought in this country before to unify the lightweight strap against Khabib Nurmagomedov it off. Is this stage greater for you than UFC 242?
Dustin Poirier: (24:59)
It’s obviously a huge fight, but fighting for the world title is the biggest fight you can get, to me, because that’s the reason I fight. I want to be an undefeated world champion. I’m still chasing that goal, and I know this fight here gets me one step closer to that.
Speaker 7: (25:14)
It’s questions for the Notorious Conor McGregor. What separates the fighter Conor McGregor from the business mogul Conor McGregor?
Speaker 8: (25:23) [inaudible 00:25:23] Conor McGregor.
Conor McGregor: (25:27)
I bring all of the discipline and the drive that I learned in my martial arts training and preparation and competition into the business world, and it’s helped me tremendously. It’s why I always would urge any parents around the world to get their children into mental martial arts. Any type of combat sport. And it’s not necessarily to compete. If they wish to compete, well then they can compete. But the things that they learn through martial arts, you cannot learn it anywhere else and it will translate many other things, especially the business world. So it’s pretty much the same. Two of the same.
Speaker 7: (26:03)
And lastly, for Michael, you sized up all of these lightweights. Now, the last one here is Conor McGregor. You’ve rubbed elbows with all of them. What do you make of this guy sitting next to you?
Michael Chandler: (26:13)
Hey, he is exactly who we think he is. He is exactly who he thinks he is. He’s got a track record. He’s a global superstar for a reason. But all of that doesn’t matter when you step inside that octagon, when the cage door closes. We all know that. He knows that. But as far as the man, as far as what he’s accomplished, as far as, just as you alluded to, outside of the cage, what he’s done. What he’s done eyeball-wise, attention-wise for this division, for this promotion, it’s nothing short of amazing. And it’s awesome to share this opportunity, share the stage with these guys. And as you can see, I think there’s a lot of growth up here.
(26:54)
I think we’ve seen a lot of growth in Conor. One of the baddest men on the planet and now one of the most daddest men on the planet. All of us, as you alluded to, we’re all dads. We all started coming up hungry, humble. And now we’re dads and really fighting for a different purpose. So you see that in him, you see that in Dustin, you see that in Hooker, and you see that in myself. So man, either way, Saturday night we’re all going to go out there, put on a great show. Everybody by that pay-per-view. Let’s go.
Conor McGregor: (27:22) Appreciate that, brother. Thank you.
Speaker 9: (27:27) Conor, how are you doing mate?
Conor McGregor: (27:33) Yeah.
Speaker 9: (27:33)
You’ve evolved so much in your fighting career, but I think you’ve always been an artist inside and outside the cage with your fighting style and your ability to sum up things in such a poetic manner. But can you just talk to me a little bit about how you define yourself as an artist?
Conor McGregor: (27:51)
I’m just an insanely driven young man. You know what I mean? I’m passionate about what I’m passionate about and I give it my all. That’s it. I’m a hard worker, through and through. If something needs to be done, Conor McGregor gets it done. Make no mistake about it.
Speaker 9: (28:09)
That’s awesome. Staying on the topic of art, I wanted to read you a quote from 2013 that you said. It’s really poignant and I think it deserves to be read out in full, so just bear with me. “I’ve lost my mind on this game, like Vincent van Gogh. Dedicated his life to his art and he lost his mind in the process. That’s happened to me, but fuck it. When that gold belt is around my waist and my mother has a big mansion, my girlfriend has a car for every day of the week, and my kids kids get everything they ever wanted, then it will pay. Then I’ll be happy I lost my mind. Can you just reflect and talk to me about how that makes you feel, hearing that in 2021?
Conor McGregor: (28:53)
Yeah, it’s been some ride. I’ve got it done and I’m up here mad as a brush. I’ve been through what all, my friend. I appreciate that. And it’s been a wild ride for me. It’s not been easy at times, but what a life. And I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t want it to be any other way. I’m very excited to be back here. I’m very excited to have fans back in the area. I’m very excited about the competition, the multiple competition. I just feel invigorated. And as you said about artistry and all, and Vinny van Gogh. I’m going to paint a beautiful picture here inside this octagon on Saturday night, and I’m very excited to do so.
Speaker 9: (29:36) Awesome. Thank you so much, man.
Speaker 6: (29:37) Go ahead, brother.
Interviewer 1: (29:44)
Yeah. It’s [inaudible 00:29:48] from Abu Dhabi Sports. The amazing thing about this sport is we’ve seen the fighters grow in front of us. And like Connor McGregor and Dustin, they’re different fighters since they started over here. We know the motivation behind Dustin’s…
Interviewer 1: (30:03)
We know the motivation behind Dustin’s fight against Conor McGregor is to beat Conor McGregor and to become the champion within one year. But you, Conor McGregor, you fought Jose Aldo, and you elevated the standard and then you fought Eddie Alvarez and you became the double champ, and you’re just elevating standards each time. So, beating Donald Cerrone last year, and now you’re fighting with Dustin Poirier; what’s your motive? After this? After seven, eight years of competing in the UFC?
Conor McGregor: (30:40)
I feel like I’m only starting, man. Everyone kind of wants to, “Hey, Conor, you’ve done it all. You’re so rich. Richer than Dane, over here. What are you doing here?” I’m like, I’m allowed here, I want to be here, I want to perform for the fans. I’m a young man, I’ve got many highlights, all the money, all the belts, everything that comes in and that goes, what lives on are highlights: are fighters highlights. You look at Roy Jones Jr’s highlights, Mike Tyson’s highlights… I still look at them today… Ali’s highlights. I want my highlight reel to be like a movie. You know what I mean? So that’s what I’m after, I’m looking to get in and perform and put on amazing highlights that I can sit as an old man with my son and just watch back and enjoy life.
Conor McGregor: (31:23)
You know what? I’ll be drinking, I know he’s proud as well, we’ll be by the fire in the Emerald Isle of Ireland. And this is it, man I’m just loving my life. Please don’t be trying to get rid of me guys, I love it here. I helped build this, I helped do this, I’m here, and I love it. I have plenty of motivation, do you know what I mean? Dustin’s a hell of a competitor. What does the champ-champ do? He does it twice. “Okay, I conquered it. Lets conquer again”. You know what I mean? They were twice, that’s what the champ-champ does.
Interviewer 2: (31:58)
Conor, question down here. Talk to me about how your training camp went in Portugal. I know it was kind of secluded due to the lockdown. You’ve had secluded camps in the past, do you think this is something that you want to continue with going forward?
Conor McGregor: (32:11)
Yeah, I’ll tell you what. It’s been a phenomenal camp all across the board. We were in Lagos in Portugal, we were in Dublin, we were in Dubai, and now we finish it up here. Yeah it was an amazing camp. I have an amazing team of people around me, all across the board, from the nutritionist, from my coaches in mixed martial arts, in jujitsu, in boxing, in wrestling, and all my sparring partners… It’s a phenomenal team I have… as well as my conditioning coaches. I’m looking forward to going in and represent them all my team’s hard work. You know what I mean? We put a lot of hard work in here and I’m going to go in and do my team proud.
Interviewer 2: (32:46) Thank you. Looking forward to it.
Dana White: (32:55) Who else? Yep, go ahead.
Interviewer 3: (32:58)
Dustin, everyone is talking about how much you’ve changed as a fighter since the last time you fought Conor, what would you say is the main thing that changed in your game and that would make a difference this Saturday, whether mentally or physically?
Dustin Poirier: (33:10)
Yeah, I think technically as well, mentally for sure, technically as well. I mean six years since we fought, you have to evolve to stay at the top of the division for this long to stay in the company for this long and it’s just maturity. I don’t care what anybody out here thinks anymore, I used to care too much. I just, I don’t care. That’s a superpower- not giving a fuck and that’s it.
Interviewer 3: (33:39)
And Conor, this one is for you. I know you’ve been asked a lot about this whole Khabib thing, but I’m just curious to know: he said he’s looking for something amazing, extra ordinary, this Saturday for him to change his mind and come back. What do you think he’s looking for this Saturday for him to change his mind?
Conor McGregor: (33:55)
You know, I don’t really care. I did not say that, Dana said that. Let’s just get to the fight. All these men are up here, there are plenty of challenges, it’s a tough business and things have gone on in his personal life. I don’t wish him any harm. Like I said, it was in 2018, a lot of time has passed. The world knows this fight is not over. This war is not over. The sport needs it to happen, the people need it to happen, I’m not going to chase it if he doesn’t want it. And that’s it. I’ll keep my calm and move on. And that’s what I’m doing, I’m back here at the 155 pound division, I’ll show the world what’s what over time and that’s it. It begins on Saturday night against Dustin Poirier.
Interviewer 3: (34:40)
Finally, my last question. I heard Dustin say that he actually kind of enjoyed the fights during this past year without a crowd because he felt it was a bit more intimate and he was more focused. I’d like to know, does having or not having a crowd affect you in any way when you’re inside that octagon or not really?
Conor McGregor: (34:58)
Yeah, no, a fight is a fight for sure when you’re inside that octagon. I was actually very, very excited to compete with no crowd, at the start I was like, “Oh, I don’t know” but over time then I really wanted to see and hear my power, and my velocity, and my precision. I wanted to hear my shots whistle through the air with no background noise and, and really put a statement out there of the difference. I almost got to do it, but there’s not that many fans, only a couple of thousand; my power, my speed, my precision, my velocity, my whistle will still whistle strong on the night. And I’m excited to show.
Interviewer 3: (35:43)Thank you.
Dana White: (35:45)
Thank you guys, we appreciate it. We’re going to square these guys off for photo ops and we will see you tomorrow.
Conor McGregor: (35:51)Thank you guys, thank you.
Speaker 2: (17:44)
Hey, just a quick one from me as the unofficial lightweight tournament commissioner, I just wanted to get available confirmation you guys, because listen, Charles Oliveira with the victory only over Tony Ferguson, he’s pretty much through to the semifinals. Now we’ve got Justin, you’ve probably just come into the mix, but of course it’s about you guys. The semifinal spots at stake, even if one or two, you come out of this weekend and fight for the title. I think most media fans, we want to crown a new undisputed lightweight champion by the end of the year. And I just want to get a quick confirmation-
Conor McGregor: (18:18) Book it, put me in. Book it, I’m in.
Speaker 2: (18:19) Yes. Michael, are you in?
Michael Chandler: (18:22) Book it.
Speaker 2: (18:22) Dan? Dustin?
Dustin Poirier: (18:26) Let’s go.
Speaker 2: (18:26) Dan?
Dan Hooker: (18:27) I didn’t even understand the question. Yeah, I’m in.
Speaker 2: (18:31)Thank you, Dana. You’re welcome.
Dana White: (18:35) All right.
Speaker 3: (18:36)
Hey Conor, you looked like you had something, you were about to say there when Dana was talking about the pay-per-view numbers. Why don’t you [crosstalk 00:08:40].
Conor McGregor: (18:41)
Yeah. It just goes without saying. You don’t go and come up and talk about EA Sports, UFC Selections and all this type of thing, when it comes to me. All the pay-per-views are treading. The Embedded has been record breaking again, it’s almost double. The first episode of the Embedded has almost double all of the other Embeddeds that came out in 2020 by one, McGregor Serone. So it’s trending in the right direction. I’m very excited about it. I’m very excited to get these guys on the platform here, you know what I mean? And like I said, and I’m happy to hear Chandler say this and Hooker say this, “Take your chances and reap the rewards here.” So that’s it, there’s going to be two cracker fights and I’m ready. And as the guy from BT said about the tournament, book it, we’re in and that’s amazing. Let’s go.
Audience Member 2: (19:27)
One more for you, Conor. I know you kind of said at the beginning, the narrative about your conditioning and everything going into this fight. Can you just expand on that? And why do you think there are those doubts about your cardio?
Conor McGregor: (19:37)
You know what, I think it’s a myth. Obviously I had the Diaz one, the first Diaz fight I went from feather weight and then a month or so later I was at welterweight, that’s obviously going to have impact and then there was other issues, but I think overall it’s a myth and it’s a myth that’s… It’s out there and that’s it. I hope we can answer it. And I will answer it in time. At some stage, I keep showing up here, someone’s going to be able to stay in the pocket with me and stay in there and fight with me. And I hope it’s this-
(20:02)
… go with me and stay in there and fight with me, and I hope it’s this Saturday night. Do I think so? I do not. I’m in some shape here at the minute and I’ll tell you this now, I am coming to put on a masterpiece. I’m excited about it.
Speaker 4: (20:17)
And just one for you, Dustin. I know you said prior to the fight with Dan there that you didn’t really like that there was a certain expectation that you would win going in, and you relish being, not underdog more. Can you just speak a little bit more to that? And do you feel at your most comfortable going into a fight like this?
Dustin Poirier: (20:31)
I’m not sure if I relish it, but of course I want to be cheered when I walk out. But I’m well acquainted with it and I know the feelings, and I’ve been in this position time and time again. That’s just it, I’m just acquainted with it.
Speaker 5: (20:49)
Hey. Question for Conor. How are you doing? I’ve enjoyed listening to you talk about getting the frame right for 155. And it struck me, it’s kind of crazy that you’ve only competed there twice. You’ve been in the UFC for, what, seven years? You’ve only competed at 155 pounds twice. Is that your ideal weight class, do you think? Do you think that’s where you operate at the highest level?
Conor McGregor: (21:09)
I’ve done pretty good in all the other ones as well. I’ve done good in them all. I’ve knocked secured belts in multiple divisions and I’ve secured knockout victories in multiple divisions. And I do feel great at this weight, but whatever I commit to I feel great at. When I do the welterweight belts, I feel great. I feel strong and big. I still feel this now. You know what I mean? I feel fast, also. So I’m excited to get in and showcase it. And like you said, I have not had that much fights at 155 pounds in the UFC, and I’m eager to put in a stint, to get a run going like I done with the featherweights. I think I went seven or eight fights within the space of a year and a half. That’s what I’m looking for here if they can match me up.
(21:51)
I know now we’ve got multiple opponents up on the dais already, so we’re in a good spot. And I’m eager to get going and showcase. I feel this is the best I have ever been for sure, and I’m at 155 pounds. but if I go back to 170 pounds, you best believe that’ll be the best yet also. So it is what it is.
Speaker 5: (22:11)
Yeah. And one Tweet that you… I don’t know exactly when you put it up but you said that after you won the 155 pound belt you wondered, maybe you should’ve jumped up and gone for that 170 pound belt right away. And I just wonder… Obviously things have worked out well for you. The Mayweather fight made you a whole lot of money, but have there ever been… Do you think about that sometimes? “What would have happened had I not left the sport?”
Conor McGregor: (22:30)
Yeah. Sometimes I think, “Man, I should’ve just stayed in the featherweight division and fought Ricardo Lamas and all those type of guys and I’ve just been in the featherweight division.” I always look to challenge myself and seek greater heights. And although I’ve been the champion at 155 pounds. I have not had much time at this weight in the UFC, and this is what I wish to do now.
Speaker 5: (22:57)
Last thing for you: I wouldn’t say the security team was necessarily concerned about it but they were very aware that you were going to be in the hotel this week at the same time as Khabib. And I was just wondering if that is still a warranted concern or have you guys past that part of your relationship that you could be in the lobby of a hotel and we wouldn’t have to worry about anything happening between you guys?
Conor McGregor: (23:18)
All of those events were 2018. It’s now 2021. What I will say is as long as we fight again, there’ll be no issue. And that’s it. If he continues to run, well then I’m not sure. We’ll see what happens.
Speaker 5: (23:37)
I’ve got one for you, Michael. Obviously you’ve been asked a lot about being in the new promotion and what it feels like to be in the UFC. I wonder what it feels like to be on the stage with these three gentlemen. And is this a different caliber of opposition that you’ve been in contact with throughout your career? Is there truth to that or do you feel like throughout your career, you have been amongst guys who are of the same skill level as these guys?
Michael Chandler: (23:58)
Overall, this is the toughest competition that I will ever face in my entire life. But I think when you look at my resume, when you look at my track record, guys like Eddie Alvarez, guys, like Benson Henderson, these are champions that were here in the UFC. Granted it was a couple of years later, but I’ve been competing at a high level since I was 14 years old, as I said. So I’ve been dreaming of this day or visualizing this day just in case it ever did come, and now I’m fully prepared to take the opportunity head on. And absolutely, all these guys are the best in the world. And the UFC lightweight division is the most hyped, most electrified, most energetic division in the UFC today. And it was a perfect time to insert my name into the mix.
Speaker 5: (24:42)Thanks guys.
Speaker 7: (24:45)
Hey. This question is for The Diamond, Dustin Poirier. You fought in this country before to unify the lightweight strap against Khabib Nurmagomedov it off. Is this stage greater for you than UFC 242?
Dustin Poirier: (24:59)
It’s obviously a huge fight, but fighting for the world title is the biggest fight you can get, to me, because that’s the reason I fight. I want to be an undefeated world champion. I’m still chasing that goal, and I know this fight here gets me one step closer to that.
Speaker 7: (25:14)
It’s questions for the Notorious Conor McGregor. What separates the fighter Conor McGregor from the business mogul Conor McGregor?
Speaker 8: (25:23) [inaudible 00:25:23] Conor McGregor.
Conor McGregor: (25:27)
I bring all of the discipline and the drive that I learned in my martial arts training and preparation and competition into the business world, and it’s helped me tremendously. It’s why I always would urge any parents around the world to get their children into mental martial arts. Any type of combat sport. And it’s not necessarily to compete. If they wish to compete, well then they can compete. But the things that they learn through martial arts, you cannot learn it anywhere else and it will translate many other things, especially the business world. So it’s pretty much the same. Two of the same.
Speaker 7: (26:03)
And lastly, for Michael, you sized up all of these lightweights. Now, the last one here is Conor McGregor. You’ve rubbed elbows with all of them. What do you make of this guy sitting next to you?
Michael Chandler: (26:13)
Hey, he is exactly who we think he is. He is exactly who he thinks he is. He’s got a track record. He’s a global superstar for a reason. But all of that doesn’t matter when you step inside that octagon, when the cage door closes. We all know that. He knows that. But as far as the man, as far as what he’s accomplished, as far as, just as you alluded to, outside of the cage, what he’s done. What he’s done eyeball-wise, attention-wise for this division, for this promotion, it’s nothing short of amazing. And it’s awesome to share this opportunity, share the stage with these guys. And as you can see, I think there’s a lot of growth up here.
(26:54)
I think we’ve seen a lot of growth in Conor. One of the baddest men on the planet and now one of the most daddest men on the planet. All of us, as you alluded to, we’re all dads. We all started coming up hungry, humble. And now we’re dads and really fighting for a different purpose. So you see that in him, you see that in Dustin, you see that in Hooker, and you see that in myself. So man, either way, Saturday night we’re all going to go out there, put on a great show. Everybody by that pay-per-view. Let’s go.
Conor McGregor: (27:22) Appreciate that, brother. Thank you.
Speaker 9: (27:27) Conor, how are you doing mate?
Conor McGregor: (27:33) Yeah.
Speaker 9: (27:33)
You’ve evolved so much in your fighting career, but I think you’ve always been an artist inside and outside the cage with your fighting style and your ability to sum up things in such a poetic manner. But can you just talk to me a little bit about how you define yourself as an artist?
Conor McGregor: (27:51)
I’m just an insanely driven young man. You know what I mean? I’m passionate about what I’m passionate about and I give it my all. That’s it. I’m a hard worker, through and through. If something needs to be done, Conor McGregor gets it done. Make no mistake about it.
Speaker 9: (28:09)
That’s awesome. Staying on the topic of art, I wanted to read you a quote from 2013 that you said. It’s really poignant and I think it deserves to be read out in full, so just bear with me. “I’ve lost my mind on this game, like Vincent van Gogh. Dedicated his life to his art and he lost his mind in the process. That’s happened to me, but fuck it. When that gold belt is around my waist and my mother has a big mansion, my girlfriend has a car for every day of the week, and my kids kids get everything they ever wanted, then it will pay. Then I’ll be happy I lost my mind. Can you just reflect and talk to me about how that makes you feel, hearing that in 2021?
Conor McGregor: (28:53)
Yeah, it’s been some ride. I’ve got it done and I’m up here mad as a brush. I’ve been through what all, my friend. I appreciate that. And it’s been a wild ride for me. It’s not been easy at times, but what a life. And I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t want it to be any other way. I’m very excited to be back here. I’m very excited to have fans back in the area. I’m very excited about the competition, the multiple competition. I just feel invigorated. And as you said about artistry and all, and Vinny van Gogh. I’m going to paint a beautiful picture here inside this octagon on Saturday night, and I’m very excited to do so.
Speaker 9: (29:36) Awesome. Thank you so much, man.
Speaker 6: (29:37) Go ahead, brother.
Interviewer 1: (29:44)
Yeah. It’s [inaudible 00:29:48] from Abu Dhabi Sports. The amazing thing about this sport is we’ve seen the fighters grow in front of us. And like Connor McGregor and Dustin, they’re different fighters since they started over here. We know the motivation behind Dustin’s…
Interviewer 1: (30:03)
We know the motivation behind Dustin’s fight against Conor McGregor is to beat Conor McGregor and to become the champion within one year. But you, Conor McGregor, you fought Jose Aldo, and you elevated the standard and then you fought Eddie Alvarez and you became the double champ, and you’re just elevating standards each time. So, beating Donald Cerrone last year, and now you’re fighting with Dustin Poirier; what’s your motive? After this? After seven, eight years of competing in the UFC?
Conor McGregor: (30:40)
I feel like I’m only starting, man. Everyone kind of wants to, “Hey, Conor, you’ve done it all. You’re so rich. Richer than Dane, over here. What are you doing here?” I’m like, I’m allowed here, I want to be here, I want to perform for the fans. I’m a young man, I’ve got many highlights, all the money, all the belts, everything that comes in and that goes, what lives on are highlights: are fighters highlights. You look at Roy Jones Jr’s highlights, Mike Tyson’s highlights… I still look at them today… Ali’s highlights. I want my highlight reel to be like a movie. You know what I mean? So that’s what I’m after, I’m looking to get in and perform and put on amazing highlights that I can sit as an old man with my son and just watch back and enjoy life.
Conor McGregor: (31:23)
You know what? I’ll be drinking, I know he’s proud as well, we’ll be by the fire in the Emerald Isle of Ireland. And this is it, man I’m just loving my life. Please don’t be trying to get rid of me guys, I love it here. I helped build this, I helped do this, I’m here, and I love it. I have plenty of motivation, do you know what I mean? Dustin’s a hell of a competitor. What does the champ-champ do? He does it twice. “Okay, I conquered it. Lets conquer again”. You know what I mean? They were twice, that’s what the champ-champ does.
Interviewer 2: (31:58)
Conor, question down here. Talk to me about how your training camp went in Portugal. I know it was kind of secluded due to the lockdown. You’ve had secluded camps in the past, do you think this is something that you want to continue with going forward?
Conor McGregor: (32:11)
Yeah, I’ll tell you what. It’s been a phenomenal camp all across the board. We were in Lagos in Portugal, we were in Dublin, we were in Dubai, and now we finish it up here. Yeah it was an amazing camp. I have an amazing team of people around me, all across the board, from the nutritionist, from my coaches in mixed martial arts, in jujitsu, in boxing, in wrestling, and all my sparring partners… It’s a phenomenal team I have… as well as my conditioning coaches. I’m looking forward to going in and represent them all my team’s hard work. You know what I mean? We put a lot of hard work in here and I’m going to go in and do my team proud.
Interviewer 2: (32:46) Thank you. Looking forward to it.
Dana White: (32:55) Who else? Yep, go ahead.
Interviewer 3: (32:58)
Dustin, everyone is talking about how much you’ve changed as a fighter since the last time you fought Conor, what would you say is the main thing that changed in your game and that would make a difference this Saturday, whether mentally or physically?
Dustin Poirier: (33:10)
Yeah, I think technically as well, mentally for sure, technically as well. I mean six years since we fought, you have to evolve to stay at the top of the division for this long to stay in the company for this long and it’s just maturity. I don’t care what anybody out here thinks anymore, I used to care too much. I just, I don’t care. That’s a superpower- not giving a fuck and that’s it.
Interviewer 3: (33:39)
And Conor, this one is for you. I know you’ve been asked a lot about this whole Khabib thing, but I’m just curious to know: he said he’s looking for something amazing, extra ordinary, this Saturday for him to change his mind and come back. What do you think he’s looking for this Saturday for him to change his mind?
Conor McGregor: (33:55)
You know, I don’t really care. I did not say that, Dana said that. Let’s just get to the fight. All these men are up here, there are plenty of challenges, it’s a tough business and things have gone on in his personal life. I don’t wish him any harm. Like I said, it was in 2018, a lot of time has passed. The world knows this fight is not over. This war is not over. The sport needs it to happen, the people need it to happen, I’m not going to chase it if he doesn’t want it. And that’s it. I’ll keep my calm and move on. And that’s what I’m doing, I’m back here at the 155 pound division, I’ll show the world what’s what over time and that’s it. It begins on Saturday night against Dustin Poirier.
Interviewer 3: (34:40)
Finally, my last question. I heard Dustin say that he actually kind of enjoyed the fights during this past year without a crowd because he felt it was a bit more intimate and he was more focused. I’d like to know, does having or not having a crowd affect you in any way when you’re inside that octagon or not really?
Conor McGregor: (34:58)
Yeah, no, a fight is a fight for sure when you’re inside that octagon. I was actually very, very excited to compete with no crowd, at the start I was like, “Oh, I don’t know” but over time then I really wanted to see and hear my power, and my velocity, and my precision. I wanted to hear my shots whistle through the air with no background noise and, and really put a statement out there of the difference. I almost got to do it, but there’s not that many fans, only a couple of thousand; my power, my speed, my precision, my velocity, my whistle will still whistle strong on the night. And I’m excited to show.
Interviewer 3: (35:43)Thank you.
Dana White: (35:45)
Thank you guys, we appreciate it. We’re going to square these guys off for photo ops and we will see you tomorrow.
Conor McGregor: (35:51)Thank you guys, thank you.
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