“He’s gone running again. I don’t know if he’ll be back.”
So taunted Conor McGregor, last September, on the day of the UFC’s ‘Go Big’ launch.
McGregor had just squared off with Jose Aldo after, minutes earlier, making his infamous red panty comments to lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.
Dominating the stage, and conversation, McGregor made it appear that Aldo was not putting in the time and effort to promote their UFC 194 fight.
While the Brazilian did not pour himself into hyping his title fight, his appearance at Go Big was commendable.
Last night, Dana White used the ‘Go Big’ event to highlight the level of commitment expected from all fighters, including Conor McGregor. The UFC president said:
“I don’t know if you guys remember the last time Conor was fighting Jose, Jose’s sister was getting married and he was sitting right here”.
“Jose flew in for that press conference. He stayed here for most of the questions. And for him to have time to make it back for his sisters wedding the next day, he had to leave and he did it.
“And many fighters have done this and sacrificed things to be here. It’s part of the job. It’s the one thing you have to do.”
Point made by White but that was not the matter settled.
McGregor’s empty chair was the elephant in the room. White stated, early doors, that ‘The Notorious’ was out of UFC 200.
Still, that did not stop McGregor’s name cropping up… 53 times.
You will never guess how many times Conor McGregor’s name was said during today’s presser!https://t.co/sMeSYJcqmq
— FSLive: #JayAndDan (@foxsportslive) April 23, 2016
