It’s a UFC 189 world this week, and even then that seems a bit to broad a brush to paint it with. The truth is, fans and media are really looking heavily at one fight, Conor McGregor vs. Chad Mendes. The two top ranked featherweights were on hand to field questions (along with Rory MacDonald and welterweight champion Robbie Lawler) at the UFC 189/TUF 21 pre-fight press conference. To nobody’s surprise, McGregor and Mendes dominated the discourse.
MMAFighting captured some of the Q & A and back and forth between the fighters on Twitter. McGregor talked about his role in promoting UFC 189:
McGregor: It’s me who is giving the UFC this gate. Dave shouldn’t be up there .. I should be up on the podium.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
McGregor: I’m waiting patiently to pull the trigger. I’ve built this event. This is the McGregor show.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
Obviously he had some less than kind words for Chad Mendes:
McGregor: I’m looking to represent my nation. I’m going to kill this man across from me. He’s a little 5-foot-2 twerp.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
McGregor: He will have a few scrambles in him, then he will be break.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
McGregor: His facial structure will be rearranged after this fight.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
McGregor on Mendes’ striking: He looks at the floor, closes his eyes, and hopes for the best.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
But didn’t miss a chance to take a jab at Jose Aldo.
McGregor: If Jose comes back from his little jog, maybe we can do it. He was mentally broken and then physically broken.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
And addressed rumors about a strenuous weight cut:
McGregor: I do not mess around this game. My weight is on my point. I will be 145 like I am every single time. He’s too small.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
McGregor: The fightin’ Irish are back.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
Mendes had his share of words to say about McGregor as well:
Mendes: Conor is a very one-dimensional fighter… You wipe all the hype out of there I’m going to destroy this dude.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
Mendes to McGregor: I’m going to destroy your life.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
Mendes: I have a gameplan and I’m going to destroy him.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
Mendes: I have wrestling ability to put this dude on his back.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
Mendes: He’s a black belt in trash talking.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
And about concerns that he may be giving up too much in reach advantage:
Mendes: Every person who I have fought has a gigantic reach advantage on me.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
And Rory Mac was there too!
MacDonald: I’m just focused on the martial arts right now and I’m focused on this fight.
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2015
UFC 189 takes place this Saturday, July 11th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Nevada. The card is headlined by a bout for the interim featherweight title between Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes. Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for more breaking news, analysis, and fight night coverage.
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