We are nearly one week away from arguably the most historic card in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) history.
UFC 205 takes place inside the legendary Madison Square Garden (MSG) arena for the promotion’s first trip to New York, and mixed martial arts (MMA) fans’ anticipation only greatened with Thursday’s media call.
Listen to the replay here.
Many things were said by the headliners, UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor (20-3) and lightweight titleholder (and former Bellator champ) Eddie Alvarez (28-4). With all of the craziness that occurred during the call however, one of the more interesting topics was brought up via the first question, asked by Boston Herald’s Jack Encarnacao. He cited a bizarre report from the Irish Mirror insinuating that the Irish sensation’s big announcement — which he plans to make after UFC 205 — will be that he is taking a break from the sport in 2017.
Fans of "The Notorious" should not fret though, as the UFC’s (and arguably combat sport’s) biggest draw shot down any rumor of that occurring in 2017.
"I think you’re absolutely crazy even mentioning a click bait crowd like that," said McGregor. "I mean, the Irish Mirror, what the fuck is that? Who even is that? They don’t know shit about me or what I’m doing. Look, stay tuned to what I’m announcing, but don’t be listening to people like that. People like that know nothing got to do with what is going on here. My plan, I’ll reveal all in time."
McGregor’s patented brashness was on full display during the call, as the self-promoting wizard is keeping all of his fans anxious for his post-fight announcement, plus he proclaims that he has no plans to leave the sport anytime soon.
"I don’t know whether you can take time off with this life. I just stay working, stay creating history, stay changing the game. That’s what I’ve been doing since day one."
While many individuals are asking and wondering what McGregor’s plans will be after he attempts to make UFC history on Nov. 12, "The Notorious" just wants to focus on the task at hand — Eddie Alvarez in New York City.
"Now here we are, close to the New York debut in Madison Square Garden. We broke the Ali vs. Frazier attendance of 21,000, I believe I’m hearing that. And we broke the gate record of 14 million set by Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield. So they’re two amazing contests, two historical fights, and I’ve broken both. So it’s an honor to do that and that’s it."
The UFC’s most popular fighter has already shattered records since breaking onto The Octagon scene in 2013. He broke the UFC’s pay-per-view (PPV) record in his rematch against Nate Diaz at UFC 202, he possesses four of the top five gates in UFC history, and now he has apparently set the gate and attendance record for Madison Square Garden.
"I’ll just continue changing the game. Continue breaking records, continue striving to put this game onto that next level like I have been doing since day one. So that’s my plan."
"The Notorious" will look to break even more records come Nov. 12, when he attempts to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts simultaneously.
To see who else is fighting at UFC 205 click here.