CONOR MCGREGOR WAS in bullish form after he avenged March’s defeat to Nate Diaz, following a bruising encounter in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Shortly after the contest, the fighter was quick to stress how important the victory was in his career, and how it enabled him to prove his doubters wrong.
“This was a hell of an important fight for me. Everyone, from the media to the fighters, wrote me off for this one. They tried to say if I lose this one, I’m done,” the 28-year-old said.
“They tried to discredit that I was going up in weight. He was 25-30 pounds heavier than me. I don’t care what anyone says, he was a big boy in there.
“I have no doubt he was about 190 [pounds] in there. I was 167. I was eating and I was saying to myself, ‘I have to build myself up’. It was a hell of a fight.
“I feel I have more skills, but boy is he one tough motherf****r. He keeps on walking forward, he keeps on taking shots.
“I dropped him multiple times and he keeps coming. His face was busted open but he kept coming forward. I learned from the last time to stay calm and bounce those shots off my shoulders.
“It was a war. I got to show my heart in there. I took it to him and stayed in it and got the win, so I’m very happy.”
However, despite the closeness of the result, McGregor was in no doubt about the final outcome.
“I felt I won the fight. I felt 3-2 was a fair result. I mean, that first round I think was a 10-8. I dropped him and it was a handy round.
“I would’ve given that round a 10-8. Look, whatever they see, they see. I won that fight and I’m happy with it. I respect the opponent.”
The Dubliner secured a majority-decision verdict, but claimed the victory was made all the sweeter by the silencing of his critics.
“Just the way it all went down. I’m sitting back and I’m looking at everyone. I don’t care what anyone says, I brought this game to another level.
“They can deny that all they want, but I did. Look at Nate’s purse tonight. Look at his purse after the first fight. Everyone’s gain has gone up, money-wise.
“And I helped to do that. I’m looking at all of these people and they’re celebrating my demise. They said I was done and it certainly lit a fire under me.
“Every single person doubted me. Every single fighter doubted me. Doubt me now.”
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