Former UFC champion Conor McGregor broke his silence in an exclusive interview with ESPN Thursday night, discussing a number of subjects including his desire to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov again and an incident in an Irish pub that involved “Notorious” striking an elderly man.
McGregor lost to Nurmagomedov in his return to the Octagon last year, failing in his attempt to claim the UFC lightweight title back. He has yet to compete since, but has been rumored as a potential opponent for the winner between Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier. That bout takes place next month at UFC 242 for the undisputed title.
Conor McGregor: ‘I Want My World Title Back’
“In my return, I want my world title back,” McGregor said. “I want redemption.” Related: Conor McGregor Congrats Nate Diaz On Victory
McGregor, who took a boxing match vs. Floyd Mayweather between UFC appearances, admitted plenty was not correct in regards to his prep for the unbeaten Nurmagomedov.
“The camp was incorrect. Knowing the commitment that I had in that camp,” he said. “Knowing the performance that I put on. That was a half-committed camp.”
He noted a broken foot suffered three weeks prior, adding “my foot was a balloon when I walked into that fight.”
McGregor Reacts To Pub Incident
As for his part in an April incident inside a pub in Ireland, McGregor has already come to terms with what he must do.
“In reality it doesn’t matter what happened there. I was in the wrong,” McGregor said. “That man deserved to enjoy his time in the pub without having it to end the way it did. Although five months ago it was and I tried to make amends and I made amends back then.
“That does not even matter. I was in the wrong. I must come here before you and take accountability and take responsibility.” Related: Conor McGregor Caught On Film Striking Elderly Man
The incident came about when an elderly man declined a shot of McGregor’s Proper No. 12 whiskey. Instead of letting it go, McGregor punched the man before being escorted out of the bar. The matter was caught on film and recently released by TMZ, though no charges have been filed.
“I owe it to my mother, my father, my family. I owe it to the people who trained me in martial arts. That’s not who I am,” McGregor said. “That’s not the reason I got into martial arts or studying combat sports. The reason I got into it was to defend against that type of scenario so to see that and although I have been making steps and continually making steps to do better and be better, to see it, it’s like a dagger into my heart as a young martial artist.
“I owe it to my mother, my father, my family. I owe it to the people who trained me in martial arts. That’s not who I am. That’s not the reason I got into martial arts or studying combat sports. The reason I got into it was to defend against that type of scenario so to see that and although I have been making steps and continually making steps to do better and be better, to see it, it’s like a dagger into my heart as a young martial artist.”
Thanks to MMA Fighting for the quotes.