UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor has kept a lot of people waiting this year. As 2017 comes to an end, McGregor lays out the exact reasons that would make him quit fighting for good…
It’s strange how things have panned out with Conor McGregor. Joining the promotion in 2013 as a broke Irish prospect, ‘The Notorious’ quickly built up some solid victories in the UFC octagon.
Clearly sensing they had a popular star they could take to the next level, the UFC did all they could to get McGregor noticed. In reality, McGregor could have sold himself with one dollar and a second-hand suit.
His natural ability to break opponents down was both fun to watch and effective in getting inside their heads. When the time came to scrap, even Jose Aldo admitted he was furious and made silly mistakes because of McGregor’s trash talking.
It worked every time until Nate Diaz was the man McGregor tried to break down.
Tons of Damage From Two Fights
What does Nate Diaz have to do with this story? As you’ll remember, Diaz inflicted more damage on McGregor than any of his previous opponents. The 209 BJJ black belt pummeled and choked McGregor into tapping in their first fight.
The rematch was five rounds of striking battles, one that left both men bloody and exhausted. During a recent interview, McGregor revealed fights like these could well push him towards retirement.
It’s no longer about money, rather remaining healthy, which isn’t a given when fighting in hard wars:
“I Will Make The Decision”
“I always look at the end from a damage-taken standpoint,” McGregor said during a recent interview with Sky Sports. “How much damage have I taken? How is my brain? How is my mental health? How is my physical body? How is my training? How is my preparation? How is my hunger for it?
“That is where I gauge how long I will do it and there is still a lot left in me.”
“It is not necessarily a money thing for me,” McGregor said. “I am passionate about fighting. Fighting is what I love to do. I will continue to do it as long as I am healthy and willing to put in the work that it takes to do.”
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“I will not be stupid, though. I will not notice things about myself and then continue to do it like many others before me.”
“It is a dangerous, ruthless business and I am aware of that,” McGregor said. “Thankfully I am in a position of great wealth. I do not need to do it. I am doing it for the love of it.
“I will make my decision when the time comes.”
