Irish sensation Conor McGregor lives up to hype despite knee injury

BOSTON- With more attention from the media and fans placed upon him than anyone else on the UFC Fight Night 26 card, including the main event, the average UFC fighter would have surely faltered under the weight of an entire country on his back.

But Irish superstar Conor McGregor entered a sold-out TD Garden in Boston with the demeanor of a seasoned veteran. With dozens of Irish flags scattered about the arena and almost every person in attendance straining to get a glimpse of the Irish superstar, the man known as “Notorious” basked in the crowd’s ovation as he entered the arena with his homeland’s flag draped across his shoulder.

“The support out there was unbelievable,” said McGregor. “It was green walking out there. The place was green. Green flags, f*****g leprechauns jumping around. It was unbelievable.”

McGregor, who faced the young Hawaiian Max Holloway on the preliminary card of Saturday night’s event, looked about as comfortable as he could possibly be as he battered Holloway with a dizzying array of kicks. It was an easy round to score, as McGregor was by far the most aggressive fighter.

But as the second round started McGregor, known for his world-class cardio and striking abilities, seemed to step off the gas and utilize his takedowns and top game to grind his opponent into exhaustion. It was a strategy rarely seen from McGregor, and he elaborated on his change of pace to the media following the fight.

“I went to catch a kick early in the fight and when he bridged and rolled I heard my knee click and it just wasn’t stable after that,” said McGregor. “I could feel it moving in and out of position which is why I had to switch gears and start taking him down.”

McGregor would go on to grind a very dominant victory en route to going the distance for the first time his young professional career, a feat that leaves a sour taste in the Irishman’s mouth.

“I’m not happy with my performance though, this is mixed martial arts and that’s not the way I like to fight out there,” said McGregor. “I felt the finish coming before my knee went and they say he’s one of the better strikers in the division. I’m just trying to prove that no one can stand with me in the octagon.”

When pressed to elaborate on his disappointed demeanor even though he pulled off the victory and improved his UFC record to 2-0, McGregor said he feels he let the fans and the UFC brass down with what he sees as a boring display of fighting.

“I mean, what these guys have done for me, Dana giving me all this attention and putting this on me, these guys are making my dreams come true,” McGregor said. “I’m forever grateful to these guys. That’s why this is a loss to me.”

UFC President Dana White quickly jumped in and said it was that kind of attitude that proves all the hype surrounding McGregor was well deserved.

“Why am I promoting this kid? Why am I getting behind him? Because I love what he’s about. I love that attitude,” White said. “He’s pissed off he didn’t finish. Some guys will sit up here and go, ‘Eh, well, I won.’ No. He’s pissed at himself that he didn’t finish. Are you kidding me?”

McGregor’s next move will be a trip out west so he can get his knee checked out by UFC doctors to determine if surgery will be necessary. But if it were up to him, he’d already have his next fight lined up so he can erase his most recent performance from his mind.

“I come out to finish every time. Max is tough. I wanted to exchange with Max. I don’t know. I’m blown away, but realistically let’s get the next one in because I’m ready to whoop somebody real quick, yeah?”

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