After suffering his first knockout loss in January to Dustin Poirier, and a second defeat in three fights, some have wondered if the “champ-champ” version of Conor McGregor is long gone. However, Ultimate Fighting Championship boss Dana White thinks the classic version of “Notorious” is back for the trilogy fight at UFC 264.
Days away from his return to the Octagon, fans and fighters are wondering what version of McGregor we will see inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The menacing, trash-talking machine that ran through Poirier in less than two minutes in 2014, or the kind and respectful chap that has arisen in his last two fights? Even fellow former champ-champ Henry Cejudo questions if the 32-year-old has lost his mojo.
Dana White thinks the old Conor McGregor is back for UFC 264
Don’t count UFC President Dana White among those unsure of which McGregor shows up Saturday night. In a new interview for “>The Mac Life, the promotion head honcho stated he believes the prime version of “Notorious” is back.
“Conor looked damn good in that first round [at UFC 257]. I don’t know how well he prepared for that fight. The difference between his training camp for this fight, and [the rematch]; I can tell you this, from what I can see, he’s taking this a lot more serious than he did the last fight,” White told The Mac Life. “He’s basically shut down, in his own little world, doing his thing. He feels like the old Conor McGregor.”
UFC 264 has serious interest from fans and A-list celebs already
Win or loss, White claims the international appeal of McGregor is undeniable. He expects the Irishman’s star power to bring in serious revenue for the promotion based on the interest UFC 264 has gotten so far from fans and A-list celebrities.
“All the things he’s done outside the Octagon, and the business that he has turned himself into is fun. Couldn’t be happier for him. This kid is a global superstar,” he said. “This fight this weekend has more celebrities coming than any fight in UFC history. Got more pre-buys than any fight in UFC history.”
In White’s mind, the big returns he’s expecting from UFC 264 not only come from McGregor’s fanfare, but the appeal of a rare trilogy fight, and the ramifications it will have on the lightweight division’s next top contender.
“It’s the perfect fight. It’s one of those trilogy fights. People love trilogies,” said White. “These guys are both in a position right now–if they win on Saturday night–for a title shot. There’s just so much on the line.”
