While Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier have been on the receiving end of most of the headlines heading into UFC 178, it’s clear that one of the co-main eventers on September 27 wants to change that.
At a fan Q & A yesterday, featherweight contender Conor McGregor began to show off the promotional skills that he has become famous (infamous?) for ahead of his fight against Dustin Poirier.
Wearing a new suit and gold rolex (which he claimed to have cost $5000), McGregor predicted a first round knockout of his opponent as he pulled no punches when discussing Poirier.
“All you gotta do is look at his last couple of fights,” McGregor said. “The last contest he had, he fought a TUF reject and nobody gives a s– about him. His chin is deteriorating. Every single contest he gets into, he gets hit, and he gets to one knee. A gust of wind hits him, and he does the chicken dance. Against me, I’m going to crack him with a jab and he’s going to wobble and I’m going to put him away. It’s going to be a first-round KO, mark my words.”
Despite the trash talk, the Irishman did say that he liked the man that he would be facing in Vegas.
“Don’t get me wrong, I like the kid,” McGregor said. “He’s a quiet little hillbilly. I have nothing against the guy. I’m sure he grew up in a circus or a fair, he’s a nice little kid. His cousin’s probably named Cletus or something.”
McGregor was asked how he saw the fight going down, and he made no attempt to sugarcoat things, saying Poirier has a history of getting shaken and that things would be no different by the time next month rolled around.
The fighter also promised that he would steal the Sept. 27 show.
“I don’t feel pressure to steal the show, but I will steal the show,” McGregor confidently expressed. “I feel I will steal the show. I believe myself and Jon, it’s myself and Jon’s card here. Nobody else.”
