It was a destructive performance from McGregor that night on his steep rise to the top of the sporting world, and a similarly impressive performance will be needed to perk the interest of Khabib to come out of retirement. McGregor has vowed to “create magic” and produce a “flawless clinic” this weekend to prove his worth as the man in the division. It is also the latest in a line of fights put on by Dana White on the Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. The card also includes Dan Hooker vs Michael Chandler, Jessica Eye vs Joanne Calderwood, Matt Frevola vs Ottman Azaitar and Marina Rodriguez vs Amanda Ribas. It has predictably not been a quiet build-up to the fight for McGregor, with a woman filing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against him over injuries alleged to have been suffered in relation to events in 2018, with the former UFC champion denying any wrongdoing. We’ll be providing live updates from today’s press conference, and you can expect fireworks from McGregor as he builds the hype for his return:
McGREGOR: LINE THEM UP!
McGregor on the current competition with Khabib retired: “There’s a co-main event again, a good, solid co-main on this card, Nate Diaz talking about 155, you’ve got Charles Oliveira, you’ve got Justin Gaethje, there’s loads there. I’m here for competition. Line them up.”
Jack Rathborn21 January 2021 11:00
McGREGOR IN FINE MOOD AHEAD OF UFC RETURN
Jack Rathborn21 January 2021 10:59
McGREGOR PROMISES ‘MAGIC’ vs POIRIER
“It sounded like a no to me, which is what it is. He doesn’t want to get in there with me, that’s for damn sure, I can see it all over him,” McGregor told BT Sport.
“And then if your man has the courage to step in… I don’t think he has the courage, he saw what happened to his team-mate Daniel Cormier. Daniel beat Stipe, wouldn’t give him the rematch, gave him the rematch and was beaten two times on the trot, that takes courage to do that. Look at Diaz, a real fighter who stepped in straight away. If you’re so confident why not? What’s the problem? It’s a mental break and that’s what I feel happened.
“I like the lightweight landscape at the minute. I’m not really focused on him, although I want that rematch of course, I’m not in the business of waiting around. After this, if negotiations start faltering to the end of the year… I want to go again.”
Jack Rathborn21 January 2021 10:30
