Conor McGregor has ripped Max Holloway’s sunglasses from his face during a wild Las Vegas press conference where the fightin’ Irishman also slapped at the Hawaiian before security intervened.
Elsewhere in a face off where security where eventually forced to dive in and hold the headliners apart, McGregor also refused to shake the outstretched hand of Holloway – who, somewhat ironically, had changed from his white t-shirt into a bullet proof vest for the showdown.
After going nose to nose, and then being separated by security, McGregor slapped away the right hand of Holloway as UFC boss Dana White shouted “Ok, let’s get these guys outta here”.
Yep, the Mac is back, baby.
UFC 329: McGregor v Holloway 2 | SUN 12 JULY 11AM AEST | Conor McGregor is back. The Irish superstar takes on the always dangerous Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports >
‘Touched your face a lot last time’ | 01:57
After five long years out of the sport, McGregor has declared his famed ‘red panty night’ back during a chaotic media event where he also branded Holloway’s boxing “abysmal”, declared himself ready to become a triple champion, thanked God, his wife’s cleaning, and even belted out a short rendition of Wonderwall as the heaving crowd, of course, joined in.
“Where was the f***ing back up?” McGregor laughed immediately afterwards at fellow UK fighter Paddy Pimblett, who was also on stage due to his role as co-main against former French soldier Benoit St Denis.
Oh, yeah, Mystic Mac also promised to not simply beat Holloway at UFC 329 on Sunday – but retire him from the sport altogether.
Arriving to the event in light blue suit, McGregor immediately unveiled two championship belts that, with straps colored in the famous Irish tricolours, where a representation, he said, of all his successes.
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When asked during the presser for a prediction by Kayo Sports’ Jon-Bernard Kairouz, the fighter long dubbed Mystic Mac was frank.
“Destruction,” he fired. “I’m going to destroy Max. I’m going to eliminate Max. The final opponent of mine that is still within the UFC ranks. All of my other opponents are gone. Max is the last one left. And on [Sunda] he gets eliminated for good.”
And as for Holloway’s famed boxing skills?
“I think his boxing is abysmal,” the Irishman continued. “I don’t rate it. He has one gear and it’s not impressive. Very rarely have we seen magic in the Octagon from Holloway. Little, evil Holloway.”
Asked his thoughts on Holloway saying he wanted to win Sunday’s fight close, to then set up a lucrative trilogy, McGregor branded it “disrespectful”.
“It shows he is here for the economics of it,” the former double champ said. “He must not realise the dangers he is in. I forecast Holloway’s retirement. Not a trilogy for cash.”
To which Holloway says what?
“I hope he knows how to swim,” he grinned. “I’m drowning his ass.”
McGregor: “Not a chance does he stand. Not one chance”.
Holloway: “Keep telling yourself that, brother.”
McGregor: “Not one chance.”
UFC 329: McGregor v Holloway 2 | SUN 12 JULY 11AM AEST | Conor McGregor is back. The Irish superstar takes on the always dangerous Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports >
Arguably though, the highlight came midway through the press event when a journalist asked if McGregor’s comeback was going to be greater than even that of famed English rock band, Oasis?
“The boys are in town I believe. The Gallaghers are in town,” McGregor said, referencing brothers Liam and Noel. “So I like the Oasis lads, yeah …”
Then, standing, he started belting into Wonderwall as, immediately, the crowd joined him.
Although not, apparently, fellow UK fighter Paddy Pimblett, who was also on stage given his role as co-main in Sunday’s showcase, taking on Frenchman Benoit St Denis.
“Paddy, where was the back up,” McGregor shouted when done, looking across the stage at the Englishman. “Where was the f***ing backup?”
“I was singin’,” Pimblett pleaded.
McGregor: “I needed backup there, yeah.”
Elsewhere, McGregor also talked about living in the gym as part of this latest comeback.
“I stuck a little bed in the gym and I’ve been living there – literally,” he said. “In order for me to exit the gym, I had to walk across the mats and put in a session. No travel, no traffic, just right in the thick of it.
“I had a lot of young hungry lions around me. Angling for a spot to be in my position. So it’s been a tremendous camp. And on we go. Glory to God.”
Which is when another MMA hack suggested the former ‘Champ Champ’, to be successful, would have to finish Holloway in under seven minutes.
“Excuse me,” McGregor replied.
So the gentleman repeated his round-and-a-half fight assessment.
“I can destroy Max inside 10 seconds,” replied McGregor, who famously kayoed Brazilian legend Jose Aldo in around the same time. “I have knockouts inside three seconds on my fighting record.
“I have Hall of Fame fighters, multiple Hall of Fame UFC fighters, defeated and destroyed in under a minute. And I can add Max to that.
McGregor SLAMS Volk in epic interview | 06:46
“However, don’t get it twisted. If we go into these deep waters Max is going to be in a lot of trouble. Badly concussed.”
At which point, Holloway picked up his microphone and asked “what happened the first time” – referencing their 2013 bout which McGregor won, albeit via decision.
“What happened the first time?” Mystic Mac replied.
Holloway: “Yeah”.
McGregor: “You were left in a wheelchair.”
Holloway: “You shot … you shot …”
McGregor: “Once you go Mac, you don’t come back.”
Holloway: “You said fights don’t count if you don’t knock people out?”
McGregor: “You left the arena busted. I wheeled your little bum ass out of that Octagon.”
Soon after, it was on again when Holloway was asked about representing the Pacific Islands in the biggest fight of the year?
And as he was beginning to answer how great it was, McGregor interrupted, bellowing: “You’re welcome. You’re welcome.
“With love from the Emerald Isle of Ireland, you’re welcome.
“We’re about to knock the dust off those red panties. Tell the wife ‘baby, we did it’. McGregor’s home …”
The Irishman was also asked what happens if late, Holloway does his now infamous point to the mat?
And this time, it was the Hawaiian got in first.
“Step back and shoot,” he goaded.
Elsewhere, McGregor said he would consider boxing Floyd Mayweather again, would fight countryman Ian Machado Garry should he become UFC welterweight king and, more than once, heaped praise on God.
And somewhere amid all this, Pimblett was asked what it was like being on stage for a McGregor presser.
“It’s f***ing sick,” he grinned.
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