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MMA

01st Jan 2016

Robbie Lawler can’t get enough of Conor McGregor and Irish fight fans

Ruthless respect

Patrick McCarry

UFC 195 is upon us but much of the talk around Las Vegas still revolves around The Notorious.

Robbie Lawler set a fantastic, gory tone for Conor McGregor’s UFC 189 victory over Chad Mendes when he knocked out Rory MacDonald to reclaim his welterweight strap.

Ahead of his latest defence, this weekend in Vegas, Ruthless and several other UFC 195 combatants were asked for their take on McGregor’s rapid ascent in the promotion. Lawler told reporters:

“Conor has brought a lot of new eyes. He’s brought a whole island with him. A whole country of crazy, supportive fight fans that really love to get excited about fights and watch fights. I think it brings a lot to the table.

“I think he’s getting the mainstream media involved a lot, he’s making people look at the sport a little differently.”

Carlos Condit, Lawler’s opponent, said, “[McGregor] has brought a lot of attention. He’s a great promoter, a great salesman, but he also backs it up.

“He’s a great fighter so it’s been pretty impressive and I think great for the sport.”