Conor McGregor revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live he’s yet to come across an opponent who doesn’t “fight like a bitch” ahead of his UFC 194 showdown with Jose Aldo on Dec. 12.
A suited McGregor appeared on the iconic talk show on Wednesday evening with his UFC interim featherweight title and touched upon a range of topics while on the famous set. When asked if he’s ever encountered someone he’d consider to be a strong fighter, McGregor delivered a damning assessment of his previous opponents.
“You know what? It’s never happened,” said the Irishman, drawing laughs from the crowd, per The 42. “If it happens I’ll give respect. I’ll say ‘Wow, you do hit hard.’ But it hasn’t happened just yet, nobody has really hit me hard enough to make me say ‘You don’t fight like a bitch.’”
Here's a look at some of the highlights from McGregor's appearance:
That’s a mantle which may be put to the test by Aldo. The Brazilian has not lost in professional MMA bouts for over a decade, has long been dominant in the featherweight division and is rated as one of the best UFC competitors of all time. McGregor didn’t seem too daunted by the prospect of going up against him, though.
“He’s (Aldo) a man who has ran from me before,” said the Irishman, per The 42. “The fight is a long time coming. We’re almost there but I’m not going to get too excited, because it was around this time, the last time, he pulled and he went running.”
Aldo withdrew from a fight that was initially scheduled between these two longstanding rivals back in July, with what McGregor described as a “little, itty bitty bruise.” Chad Mendes stepped in to face the Irishman at UFC 189 and was duly stopped by a brutal left hand in Round 2.
At the time, many UFC fans were hugely disappointed not to see McGregor take on Aldo, but the win over Mendes has dispelled any notion that the man known as Notorious is not ready for the elite level yet.
McGregor is a competitor who seems at ease with the pressures which are accompanying him in the buildup to the fight. Every time he steps in front of a camera, he enjoys himself, with the weight of the interim title belt not wearing too heavy on his shoulders. Indeed, he admitted to Kimmel he loves his line of work.
“It is an extremely fun job,” said the UFC star when asked if he enjoys his profession, per The 42. “It’s a crazy, beautiful, out-of-body experience beating people up for lots of money. ... You’d have to experience it for yourself, but to go in there in that pure environment, it’s a beautiful feeling. You (Kimmel) talk to people for lots of money, I beat people up for lots of money.”
Away from the Octagon, McGregor spoke about his lavish spending, admitting he has eight cars currently. He also revealed the prospect of purchasing an exotic animal is something that’s crossed his mind and that he may seek advice from former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, who famously once owned three Bengal tigers, per Anton Tabuena of Bloody Elbow:
Mike Tyson was actually at my last fight at UFC 189... If he is there (at my next fight), because I have honestly, truly been giving serious thought on getting myself an exotic animal. I need to sit down and speak to him about pros and cons (of having a tiger).
I'd love a monkey. Maybe a chimpanzee. Just a cool chimpanzee whipping around would be unbelievable as well. I’ll tell you what, I'll come back (to your show) with my brand new chimpanzee.
Despite the enormity of the upcoming fight with Aldo, McGregor resembled a man who is assured in this appearance. Still, underpinning the bravado, he will be acutely aware this is to be the biggest night of his career to date, and as such, he will need a massive amount of determination to succeed.
Aldo has been a tremendous champion and an opponent many have struggled with in recent years. Therefore, talk of a purchasing a chimpanzee in celebration may be a little premature for the time being from McGregor, although few will be backing against him getting the job done on Dec. 12 when he steps into the Octagon.
