Conor McGregor may be technically the “Interim” UFC Featherweight Champion, but just don’t tell him that in person.
The Notorious sat down for a wide-ranging interview with British publication GQ Magazine ahead of UFC 194, and twice took issue with being referred to as “interim” champion by interviewer Alastair Campbell.
Here’s how the exchange went:
AC: But fear of losing can be a great motivator.
CM: Sure, but not if it drains your confidence. One of the reasons I got into this game was because I wanted to learn how to get myself comfortable in uncomfortable situations. I grew up in a tough area of Dublin, and fighting was just part of your life. Boys fight, and I won some, but I lost a lot too, and I didn’t like that, I didn’t like that feeling of not knowing whether I was in danger, in trouble. So even back then, I studied every move, I became fascinated by thinking what I could have done differently. And I take that approach now as a professional. I am on it, all the time, never stop thinking, learning. You don’t get to be world champion unless you do that…
AC: Interim…
CM: F*** that, what do you mean interim? Aldo and I had a date, he didn’t show, someone else took his place, I beat him, easy. So don’t give me interim.
However, Campbell didn’t heed his warning, and mentioned the “I” word again later in the interview.
CM:… And when I am in the run-up to a fight, I am really at it the whole time, might be getting my weight down to meet the limit for the division. Soon I am moving up and I am going to be champion in the next one too.
AC: Interim or real?
CM: Say “interim” again and you’ll be polishing my belts for me. Both of them.
McGregor will face Jose Aldo this weekend at UFC 194, where he’ll have an opportunity to unify the featherweight titles. The Dubliner dismissed any thoughts that he wouldn’t beat his rival.
AC: If you don’t beat Aldo in December…
CM: [Interrupts loudly.] What? What are you talking about? I have beaten him already. He is dead. Look at his body language. His body is weak and his mind is weaker. I can smell the lack of confidence. If the mind is not in it, the body won’t follow. He cannot beat me. He knows it. It’s why he went running last time.
Don’t fear too much for Campbell. Tony Blair’s former director of communications is used to dealing with big egos.
