UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor continued to rail against the WWE on Friday during a media session ahead of his UFC 202 rematch with Nate Diaz.
The always outspoken Irishman took direct aim at John Cena, the longtime face of WWE, whose character is geared toward a younger audience. Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting noted McGregor isn't exactly impressed with the gimmick or the superstar's physique.
"What's the main guy? John Cena," he said. "He's 40. He's 40 years of age. He's walking around in a luminous orange t-shirt and a headband talking about nobody can see him. We can see him right there. He's a big, fat, 40-year-old failed Mr. Olympia motherf--ker."
McGregor expanded on his comments to note his disdain for the current group of WWE stars doesn't extend throughout the entire company. He expressed respect for the McMahon family and also gave a shout out to some of the former top draws, per MMA Fighting:
Like I said, no disrespect to the dons of the game, the McMahons. [WWE CEO Vince McMahon] is a f—ing legend. They wrote Vinny off a few years ago when he dropped from the billions and then he rose back up and now he's back in the billionaire club. What he's been able to do with that bunch of dweebs he has over there at the moment has been phenomenal and I respect him for that. And then of course the OGs of the game, The Rock, Stone Cold, they're cool motherf--kers. Even Ric Flair is a cool motherf--ker.
It's the second time in a week the 28-year-old UFC fighter has taken direct aim at the wrestling organization. Mike Bohn of Rolling Stone noted he was originally asked about potentially shifting to WWE in the future, similar to Brock Lesnar:
I have thought about [WWE]. For the most part, I think these guys are pussies, to be honest. They're messed up pussies if you ask me. Fair play to Brock; he got in and fought, but at the end of the day, he was juiced up to the fucking eyeballs. How can I respect that? The other guy [CM Punk] hasn't fought yet, so I don't know about him yet.
Those comments generated reaction from around the WWE Universe. Chris Jericho was one of the notable wrestlers to respond on social media:
Sorry pal no disrespect to u, but my fights are legit, unlike the fixed fights u have in @UFC. I’ll embarrass u. https://t.co/X5WCyeHYbf
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) August 7, 2016
Of course, the biggest question is whether the recent rants are a work or a shoot. McGregor has become one of the best self-promoters in the world and, while his exact intentions are unclear, you could view the comments as his way of creating some heat should he eventually make the WWE jump.
That's a conversation for a day in the future, though. His main focus now is getting ready for that rematch with Diaz on Aug. 20. A second consecutive loss would be a major blow to the over-the-top persona he's built over the past couple years.
