Regardless of what one may think about Conor McGregor’s antics outside the cage, it’s undeniable that he has been one of the most entertaining fighters in the sport’s history. Although he is a treat to watch during the pre-fight interviews, Conor McGregor was entertaining because of his confidence.
His ability to accurately predict the outcome of his fights, dismantle his opponents with mental warfare, and his charm made Conor a fan favorite. However, the confidence wasn’t something Conor developed later in his career, he entered the fight game with it.
The Irish legend embodied the confidence that very few athletes have been blessed with. During his meteoric rise in UFC, he was very articulate with the way he talked, while terrorizing his opponents. Dana White even compared him to Muhammad Ali. During his first interview with UFC in 2013, Conor gave us all a hint of what he had in store for the sport.
When asked if he’ll be a UFC Featherweight Champion before retiring, he said, “100%. 100% I will be the UFC Featherweight Champion.” Conor ended up becoming a two-division champion and the first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously in FW and LW. While most would’ve given a modest answer to the question, Conor wasn’t willing to beat around the bush.
“I don’t feel pressure…Put more pressure on me because right now I don’t feel no pressure…People say I’ve got the weight of a nation on my shoulders, well then throw a few more nations on because I don’t feel that way…I’ve been feeling like this guy all the time. I feel like the champ already. So, keep going, keep doing my thing.”
Conor had his sights set on his legacy from the beginning.
Conor McGregor wanted to become an example for future fighters
In the beginning, it wasn’t easy for Conor McGregor to convince his parents of his choice of career in MMA. At the time, he didn’t have examples to look at in Ireland and use as a point of reference to convince his parents. However, his dedication helped him get over the hump and commit himself to the world of MMA.
Years later, Conor achieved everything he set out to do and continued to keep adding to his legacy. During the interview, he revealed that he used to look up to fighters like Anderson Silva and Chuck Liddell and copy their fighting styles. He said, “I approach this game with a learning mind. I’m open to it all.”
But for the long run, Conor had a dream. He wanted to become the kind of athlete that future generations would talk about. He wanted to leave behind a legacy strong enough that he’d become someone else’s Silva and Liddell. More than a decade later, Conor is not only an example for MMA fighters but athletes across disciplines and people from all walks of life. The Irishman embodies greatness, and that isn’t restricted to any particular group of people.
