McGregor back in UFC spotlight, taking on Nurmagomedov tonight
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The last time Conor McGregor was in a UFC cage, he was merely the biggest star in the history of mixed martial arts.
In the 23 months since, the loquacious Irishman has become exponentially richer and much more famous. With his boxing loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. as the catalyst, McGregor has ascended to a new level of stardom and success outside MMA and outside sports.
Even UFC President Dana White wondered whether McGregor (21-3) would decide to fight on, but he did.
McGregor returns to the octagon tonight at UFC 229 to fight lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov (26-0) in a Las Vegas arena full of boisterous Irish fans.
The pay-per-view show could be the most-watched and most lucrative in the UFC’s history, according to both White and the former two-belt champion at the centre of it all.
“I came back for the love of this,” McGregor said. “To come back and shut this man up.”
McGregor’s mere presence sells a fight these days. UFC 229 has entered the public consciousness largely because of McGregor’s magnetism.
McGregor unleashed a vintage stream of insults and invective against the champion all week. Nurmagomedov was no less sharp in fewer words, particularly at Friday’s weigh-in.
“Tomorrow I’m going to smash your boy,” Nurmagomedov said.