CONOR McGREGOR HAS shown his peers in mixed martial arts just how much can be achieved while competing under the umbrella of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
That’s the view of James Elliott, the UFC’s Vice President and General Manager of Europe, Middle East and Africa, who heads up the operations of MMA’s leading organisation in the EMEA region.
Elliott is full of praise for McGregor, who goes in search of his eighth consecutive UFC victory this Saturday night when he takes on Nate Diaz in the main event at UFC 196 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Since joining the UFC in 2013, McGregor has gone from being a relative unknown to the biggest star in MMA, winning the UFC featherweight title, transcending the sport and picking up some sizeable cheques along the way.
“Conor’s had a fabulous few years. He’s done everything he told us he was going to do and long may that continue. He’s definitely raised the profile of the sport, and not just in Ireland,” Elliott told The42.
“He’s been making a name for himself through words and through deeds. He’s had a fantastic impact for us. We need to have stars, we need to have people who can transcend the sport and Conor’s definitely one of those people.
“I think Holly Holm [UFC women's bantamweight champion] can get there as well. We’ve got some other fighters coming through who are showing their personalities and different ways to get on in this business. Conor is doing his thing and good luck to him.”
McGregor has used his impressive range of skills to achieve success inside the octagon, but the 27-year-old has supplemented that by developing a captivating personality which has made his media interactions just as engrossing as his fights.
His bank balance has subsequently reaped the rewards, and Elliott believes the manner in which McGregor has gone about his business can demonstrate to other fighters what’s attainable if they’re capable of following a similar path.
“Yeah, I think Conor can be an example to some of our other fighters, absolutely. You’ve known Conor for many years. You know this is what he’s always been like. You can’t manufacture that,” Elliott said.
“But I think what he’s doing definitely shows you what’s possible. He has an intelligence inside and outside the octagon. He’s pushing to the floor and he certainly knows how to promote himself, which is great for us and for him.
“When you ally that kind of approach to the promotional machinery that the UFC has and the skills of the people behind the team, it’s a pretty potent combination. I think we’re good for each other.”
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