So Conor McGregor once proclaimed, in 2014, as he basked in his victory over Dustin Poirier.
McGregor is two years older, one defeat wiser and a whole lot richer. He also has the UFC Featherweight belt but that was back in the 'Mac Mansion' last night. He had unfinished business with Nate Diaz and it was at 170 lbs.
The Notorious was anticipating walking into "a warzone" when he took on Diaz. Many Irish fans had travelled to UFC 200 after being unable to transfer flights and accommodation for UFC 202.
All week, there was talk about the low numbers of Irish fans heading to the fight. McGregor understood - flights to Vegas don't grow on trees. You won't find them in a hedge either.
However, just as the pre-fight hype was boiling over and McGregor was looking rattled, the green army showed up. Thank God (or Dan Rooney) for the J1 Visa.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/766798270169481221
Pockets of Irish voices were in Las Vegas for the bottle-throwing of the final press conference. By Thursday, there were hundreds of Irish brogues to be heard. Summer holidays and students on road-trips mixed in with the die-hard MMA fans.
They made their voices heard at the televised weigh-ins and again as McGregor went the five-round distance and emerged with his hand raised in victory. Post-fight, McGregor spoke about how much those Irish roars meant to him:
"I tell you what, I was over the moon with my countrymen when I came out for that weigh-in. All of a sudden, they were there."Everyone was saying, 'No, there'll be no Irish there this time' and I said, 'Yeah, f**k it, I''m going to be in a warzone this time. I anticipated that."Then I walked out to the weigh-in and I was like 'Wooaahh'. I'm over the moon with it and I would like to fight at home, in front of my countrymen. "I fight so damn much so I know it is hard for my fans to come to each one. I understand."
McGregor wants to reward his Irish fans with a fight in Dublin.
McGregor Diazz III at Croke Park has a nice ring to it.
Quality insight from Barry Cahill and a nig interview with Eamon McGee in the latest GAA Hour. Subscribe here on iTunes.
