Conor McGregor insists criticism of his cardio is a ‘MYTH’ ahead of his latest comeback… as he warns Dustin Poirier he will ‘put on a masterpiece’ in their rematch at UFC 257 on Fight Island
- Conor McGregor is making his eagerly-anticipated return to the Octagon
- The Irishman comes up against Dustin Poirier in a rematch on Fight Island
- McGregor was quizzed about criticism of his endurance in press conference
- But McGregor emphatically shut down the criticism, labelling it all a ‘myth’
Conor McGregor vowed to produce a ‘masterpiece’ against Dustin Poirier as he emphatically shut down any criticism over his endurance in the Octagon.
McGregor is making his latest comeback this weekend at UFC 257, coming up against American Poirier in a rematch on Fight Island – having won their first bout in 2014 via a technical knockout.
On Thursday, he faced the media at his pre-UFC 257 press conference in Abu Dhabi, and McGregor was his classic assured self, insisting he will put on a show once more after fielding questions surrounding doubts over his cardio.
Conor McGregor was his assured self while previewing his fight at UFC 257 with Dustin Poirier
The Irishman insists he will produce a ‘masterpiece’ in his rematch against Poirier in Abu Dhabi
In McGregor’s two UFC setbacks at the hands of Nate Diaz and long-time rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, the Irishman looked worn down in both fights before eventually succumbing to defeat.
And on Thursday when quizzed on the belief that his traditional weakness has been his endurance over long fights, McGregor responded: ‘You know, I think it’s a myth.
‘Obviously I had this Diaz one. The first Diaz fight I went from featherweight and a month or so later I was at welterweight. That is obviously going to have an impact and there were other issues.
‘But overall I think it’s a myth. It’s a myth that’s out there, and I hope we can answer it, and I will answer it in time. I will at some stage.
McGregor shut down any criticism of his endurance in the Octagon, calling it a ‘myth’
‘I keep showing up here, someone’s going to have to stay in the pocket with me and stay in there and fight with me, and I hope it’s this Saturday night.’
‘Do I think so? I do not, I am in some shape here and I tell you this now, I am coming to put on a masterpiece and I am excited about it.’
But while the ‘Notorious’ is extremely confident of producing the goods in Abu Dhabi, he was keen to state that he is expecting a tough challenge.
Previewing the fight itself on the weekend, McGregor said: ‘Dustin has been on an incredible run since our first fight. I’m excited to get in with him again. I got him out in 90 seconds the first time, and I have complete confidence in my abilities.
McGregor secured a first-round knockout of Poirier in their opening bout in September 2014
‘There are some questions, he’s heavier now and more experienced. I’ve put in a lot of work. I got 40 seconds last year in the Octagon which was a major frustration and I need more.’
And while speaking about the lightweight division, McGregor added: ‘I think Poirier is the hardest challenge I could be facing,.
‘He has a win over Hooker who is on stage here, he knocked out Justin.
‘Justin in turn knocked out Tony, who is another top contender, so I think I’m right at the top here.’