– Paul Dollery reports from Las Vegas
“THIS DOES NOT feel like Vegas. It feels like Dublin.”
UFC commentator Joe Rogan summed up the mood at this evening’s UFC 189 weigh-ins.
Conor McGregor’s fans packed out the MGM Grand Garden Arena, as an estimated crowd of 10,000 turned up to see the Dubliner weigh in for his interim featherweight title bout against Chad Mendes.
Despite Chael Sonnen’s claims earlier this week that McGregor was struggling with the weight cut, both the Irishman and his American opponent tipped the scales below the 145lbs limit.
As you’d expect, a heated staredown followed between the rivals, who headline tomorrow night’s UFC 189 card here in Las Vegas.
“Chad is an overblown midget,” McGregor told Joe Rogan afterwards. “Tomorrow night, I’m going to cut him in half and raise gold for Ireland… for my country.”
Mendes, who appeared to revel in the hostile reception from the Irish fans, said: “This is fucking awesome, look at this shit! It’s time to take what’s mine, baby.”
All other UFC 189 fighters, including Irish pair Neil Seery and Cathal Pendred, also made weight — with the exception of Jeremy Stephens, who was fined 20% of his purse for coming in 3.5lbs over the limit for his featherweight bout against Dennis Bermudez.
