Conor McGregor vs Khabib press conference: Watch video replay ahead of UFC lightweight title fight
It was an unconventional final press conference ahead of Saturday's fight
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Your support makes all the difference.The final press conference ahead of Conor McGregor’s UFC title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov didn’t go quite as planned in Las Vegas on Thursday evening.
McGregor was thirty minutes late to the presser, with reigning champion Khabib deciding against sticking around to trade insults with him.
Instead Khabib made a hasty exit after answering a handful of questions, with McGregor then appearing to promise he would “knock his nose into the nosebleeds” come Saturday night. Relive the best of the press conference below.
What's the latest?
Conor McGregor believes he has spotted flaws in Khabib Nurmagomedov's fighting style and intends to "take his head off" in their showdown for the UFC lightweight title.
Their bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this weekend has been billed as the biggest in the UFC's history and McGregor is looking to make a statement against the person who succeeded him as 155lb champion.
At the workouts open to the public at the Park Theater, McGregor thrilled those in attendance as he introduced his young son before settling into his routine, predictably focusing on his striking technique.
Afterwards he told the cheering audience: "Saturday night: You're in for a show, trust me on that. I'm going to take his head off. Trust me.
"(It will be a) devastating KO. (Nurmagomedov is) too easy to hit, too flat-footed, too predictable, I'm going to knock him clean out."
McGregor is returning to the UFC after a near two-year absence against Nurmagomedov, who will make the first defence of the title he won by beating late replacement Al Iaquinta in April.
The Irishman was relieved of the crown because of his hiatus from the octagon, having made a brief foray into boxing to challenge Floyd Mayweather in a highly lucrative contest in August last year.
Now he is back in mixed martial arts for a fight that is seen as a puncher versus a grappler, but McGregor is unfazed by his Russian opponent's gameplan.
He added: "I don't give a f*** about anything. Any wrestling, any technique, any anything. I'm coming for that man's head from the f****** bell.
"It's good to be back. Let's go do it. A proper fight, a proper, proper fight."
Nurmagomedov had earlier been given a hostile reception from a largely pro-McGregor crowd and appeared to cut his session short in order to remonstrate with his foe's supporters.
As the jeers continued, he insisted he would win them over, saying: "Three days. You're going to like me. I know you're going to love me."
The 30-year-old, who put a particular emphasis on his takedowns and wrestling during his programme on Wednesday afternoon, also questioned McGregor's pride in his Irish heritage.
McGregor mentioned in last month's press conference about how his ancestors fought the English empire and that his family name was banned for a century by King James.
Nurmagomedov, though, referenced McGregor's grandfather's time with the British Merchant Navy.
Nurmagomedov said: "These guys talk about (how) they fight English people but his grandfather worked with the English navy. Now you support (his grandson)? I'm going to change this on Saturday night.
"I have a question for Ireland. What about your language, what about your Irish language? Where's your language? What's wrong with your language?
"Are you guys right now with England, you guys change your language. Give me answer someone if you can. It's very interesting."
Do you see yourself fighting Khabib more than once?
"I don't know. We'll see. I may want to spare Khabib and then headline that New York card in November. We'll see what happens."
A question on legacy. Where does it go from here?
"I'll just keep doing my thing. At the end of the day when I sign up you're going to get a fight. And there's no holding, it's a straight knock. My legacy is set in stone. Let's see what happens."
What is McGregor's level of hunger now? Is Khabib hungrier?
"No. I am starving. I am going to eat his head. I'm 24/7 on this game and that is it."
A question on his prep, and how much time he stays in Vegas ahead of a fight.
"It's hard to leave Ireland when you're in it. But I have been here for many months on end so I decided to stay in Ireland a little longer. I have lots of energy. I am happy. This is perfect."
Q: You're in it for the love of it. And we want to see you fight in Dublin again, is it going to happen?
A: "I was asking this the other day. I know there are some issues. I would fight anyway. You have to ask these guys here. But I must fight in Ireland before I call it a day."
What are his opinions on a new weight class?
"People are complaining. People need to sit down and discuss all aspects. I personally believe it would benefit the UFC having more belts on the line. I feel we could sit down and figure it out. Let's see."
Last question: Has his mental warfare game surpassed Ali's? (Lol.)
A: "Thank you. Dana said that and he doesn't get the credit he deserves. He is a true pioneer and an OG of the fight game. Thank you for those kind words. Ali is a special individual and I am not even close to that man. But to be spoken about with him is a very proud moment."
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