Throughout the past couple of years, it has been no secret that former double champ of the UFC, Conor McGregor, has dealt with issues both inside and outside the UFC octagon, where he built his name as one of, if not the greatest combat sports athlete of all-time.
During the UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor II pre-fight press conference, one media member read a quote back to McGregor that he said in 2013, regarding him losing his mind through fighting. This quote came before he achieved all of his world titles, fame, fortune, and clout.
“I have lost my mind on this game,” McGregor said in 2013. “Like Vincent Van Gogh dedicated his life to his art, and he lost his mind in the process. That’s happened to me, but fuck it. When that gold belt is around my waist, and my mother has a big mansion, my girlfriend has a different car for everyday of the week, and my kids’ kids get everything they ever wanted, then it will pay. Then I will be happy I lost my mind.”
“You know, yeah, it’s been some ride,” McGregor said. “I have got it done, and I’m up here mad as a brush. I have been through it all my friend. It’s been a wild ride for me. It has not been easy at times, but what a life, and I wouldn’t want it to be any other way. I’m very excited to be back here – I’m very excited to have fans back here,” adding, “I just feel invigorated, and as I said about artistry and all, and Vincent Van Gogh as well. So I’m gonna paint a beautiful picture here inside the octagon on Saturday night. I’m very excited to do so.”
McGregor finally seems to be back on the right track that he was on back in 2016-2017, when he defeated Eddie Alvarez by second-round knockout at UFC 205 to become the first simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history, and then went on to challenge the greatest boxer of this generation and possibly of all-time, Floyd Mayweather.
McGregor is looking to stay active this year, and he is looking to compete in multiple bouts. He has already expressed interest in multiple potential opponents such as Max Holloway, the winner of UFC 257’s co main event between Dan Hooker vs. Michael Chandler, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Nate Diaz, and more.
But first he must take on a formidable opponent in Dustin Poirier in a rematch six years in the making, this Saturday, January 23 for UFC 257 at the newly built Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The main card will be aired live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT following the prelims aired on ESPN and ESPN+.
Source: Youtube.com
