Brash Conor McGregor believes he'll earn title shot with UFC Fight Night 46 win

(This story first appeared in Thursday’s USA TODAY.)

DUBLIN – The line between future star and overhyped can be thin.

Irishman Conor McGregor is straddling that line in MMA. Heading into his third UFC bout, the Dublin native headlines his first UFC show Saturday in his home city.

That the UFC entrusted McGregor (14-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) to carry the card speaks volumes. After The O2 sold out in less than a half-hour, the UFC appears to be correct in terms of McGregor’s star power at home.

But beyond Ireland’s borders, McGregor’s star has risen quickly as well. He brings brashness and bravado to his pre-fight game, talking big and backing it up.

Saturday, he’ll meet Diego Brandao (18-9 MMA, 4-2 UFC) in a non-title featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night 46 (UFC Fight Pass, 12:30p.m. ET), and he understands the impact his presence at the top of the bill has had. The UFC says the card will be available in 99% of Ireland’s homes.

“It’s a dream come true to be back here to put my nation on the map and to hear that 99% of the nation (could) watch this fight,” McGregor said. “I don’t think there’s a fighter in the UFC’s history that’s done what I’ve done in the space that I’ve done it.”

And because of that, he wants to be rewarded.

“When I put this guy away and make it look easy, which I will do, people will say, ‘How did he do that? Let’s jump this guy ahead in the queue and put him straight into a title shot,’” he says. “You’re going to see a true No.1 contender here on Saturday night.”

That’s the type of swagger that has drawn the ire of potential future opponents, who have taken exception to McGregor’s confidence and to his popularity with UFC executives such as President Dana White. But some have seen it from McGregor for years.

Graham Boylan, CEO of the England-based Cage Warriors fight promotion, had McGregor, nicknamed “The Notorious,” on his cards five times, and McGregor eventually won the featherweight and lightweight titles. He was just as brash then, but now the stage is much bigger.

“You could tell there was something unique about Conor from the very start,” Boylan says. “From the minute he arrived, it was clear that time was moving too slow for Conor. He’s just always buzzing. … I don’t think he ever switches off or steps out of that mind-set.”

Audie Attar, a former UCLA football player, is McGregor’s manager. He thinks his fighter has struck a perfect balance between what he does inside the cage and the persona he’s created outside of it.

“Conor has great athletic ability and an electrifying personality,” Attar says. “I think he’s growing as a person and a fighter, which will refine him as an athlete and entertainer both critics and fans talk about.”

McGregor’s next step Saturday, after an 11-month knee injury layoff, is to show the hype is warranted. The Irishman said expectations don’t bother him, even as he convinced the UFC brass that a card led by him could sell out 80,000-plus-seat Croke Park Stadium in Dublin.

“There is no pressure for me, McGregor, 26, says. “Pressure is an illusion. I feed on it. Give me more of it.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 46, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.