There’s no athlete in the world today—maybe ever—who represents Ireland the way UFC superstar Conor McGregor does.
McGregor isn’t Brad Pitt in Snatch Irish or Leonardo DiCaprio in Gangs of New York Irish. He’s Brendan Gleeson in everything Irish. Like, he’s so damn Irish.
The UFC lightweight champion began boxing as a youth in Crumlin, a suburb of Dublin, and left a plumbing apprenticeship to pursue a career in prize fighting. He is at the pinnacle of mixed martial arts stardom and is now in talks to compete in what will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated combat sporting events in history – a boxing superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The loquacious 28-year-old has done it all with the support of the Irish people.
This is the type of reception he would get at Irish airports—you know, before he bought his own private jet.
So, in honour of St. Patrick’s Day, here are some of McGregor’s most memorable quotes. Many of them just happen to be about his homeland.
It’s in the blood…
McGregor was featured in ESPN The Magazine’s annual Body Issue in 2016 where he waxed poetic about his family’s lineage.
“I tell you what, them Irish genes are good. They’ve served me well. We are made tough. We are made of steel. So I have no doubt the blood in my genes, the Irish blood in me has definitely stood me. My family’s lineage, we are warriors. The McGregor clan, we are warriors all through. We are famous all through the world for our fighting capabilities of all generations. So I have no doubt that’s stood to me and that led me down this path and gave me what I have.”
“I’m just a kid that defied the odds. I’m just a kid that ignored the doubt. I’m just a kid from a little place in Dublin, Ireland, that went all the way, and I’m going to continue to go all the way.”
[relatedlinks]
‘We’re not here just to take part, we’re here to take over’
Anyone who doubted what McGregor means to his compatriots changed their tune after watching his fight in Dublin against Diego Brandao. McGregor stopped his opponent within one round to move to 3-0 in the UFC.
“It would have to be something special to come over here in my hometown and take this away from me. There’s not a man alive who can come on this soil and beat me.”
‘Mystic Mac’ has a home away from home…
UFC 178 took place in Las Vegas but the MGM Grand Garden Arena sounded as if it was Croke Park because McGregor’s Irish fans packed the place. McGregor knocked out Dustin Poirier then proceeded to regale in a memorable post-fight speech.
“These featherweights don’t understand until they get hit by me. It’s a whole other ball game when they get hit by me. I said I’d knock him out in the first round and I knocked him out in the first round. You can call me Mystic Mac because I predict these things.
“This is the new age. I wanted to come over here to America and show the American public the new era of the fighting Irish and I brought my whole country with me. If one of us goes to war, we all go to war.”
At the post-fight press conference he then dropped this nugget.
“I am cocky in prediction. I am confident in preparation, but I am always humble in victory or defeat.”
Truth talker…
Prior to his UFC 189 interim title fight with Chad Mendes, McGregor’s gift of gab was receiving as much attention as his fighting ability. He spoke some truth with Esquire magazine and dropped this great line.
“Trash talk? Smack talk? This is an American term that makes me laugh. I simply speak the truth. I’m an Irish man.”
McGregor The Conqueror…
McGregor’s rivalry with Jose Aldo is one of the most heated in UFC history. When they were on a worldwide press tour McGregor was as brash as ever during a stop in Aldo’s native Brazil.
“I own this town, I own Rio de Janeiro, so for him to say that he is the king and I am the joker, if this was a different time, I would invade his favela on horseback, and would kill anyone who wasn’t fit to work, but we’re in a new time, so I’ll whoop his ass [instead].”
A pre-fight press conference gem from 2013…
“There are two things I really like to do and that’s whoop ass and look good. I’m doing one of them right now and on Saturday night, I’m doing the other.”
A post-fight gem after beating Max Holloway by decision, not stoppage…
“These custom-made suits aren’t cheap. This solid gold pocket watch, three people died making this watch. I need to put people away. I need those big fights. I’m going to end up in debt pretty fast.”
Weight classes need not apply…
“The only weight I give a [expletive] about is the weight of the cheques and my cheques are super-heavyweight.”
A star power that transcends divisions…
“I should create my own belt. I am, in myself, my own belt. It doesn’t matter if its featherweight, lightweight, welterweight. It’s the McGregor belt. That’s it, I’m fighting for my own belt.”
Crossing the line prior to beating Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205…
“I’m going to toy with this man. I will rearrange his facial structure. His wife and kids won’t recognize him again. His friends will know he’s not the same after this contest…You’re never, ever going to be the same. Your kids are going to beg, ‘Daddy, please don’t go again.'”
