Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone came face-to-face for the first time during the UFC 246 pre-fight press conference inside The Pearl at The Palms Resort and Casino (video replay here). And if you bet on McGregor showing up late, you are out a few bucks since “Notorious” — for the first time ever — showed up on time for the festivities.
Much to everyone’s surprise, it was a rather calm affair, which is an odd thing to say when McGregor is on the mic. Indeed, McGregor and Cerrone showered each other with mutual respect, as McGregor complimented Donald’s attire, while “Cowboy” praised the Irishman’s all-around arsenal.
It was an all-around love fest.
And while McGregor — the former UFC “champ-champ” — promised there will plenty of blood spilled inside the Octagon come fight night, there isn’t any bad blood between the UFC 246 main event participants.
“I have respect for Donald,” McGregor said during the recent pre-fight press conference. “He has earned my respect through his activity and through just observing him. He steps up. He goes through divisions also, not many a man in the business does that. He’s been around so long.
”It’s hard not to respect Donald,” he continued. “There will be no bad blood here. But, there will be blood spilled. Make no mistake about that.”
Usually, McGregor is busy hurling insults and trying to play mind games during his press conference appearances, as was the case with his last couple of fights against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Floyd Mayweather. So to see a calm, cool and collected McGregor during a presser was a sight to see.
That said, McGregor is adamant he is coming in to the new year with a new mindset, so there’s that. Plus, it also speaks to the level of respect McGregor has toward “Cowboy,” which is something shared by the entire mixed martial arts (MMA) community.
Still, we can expect the pleasantries to go out the window once fight night rolls around, as “Notorious” has a lot banking on this fight, including a potential Lightweight title fight.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 246 fight card this weekend RIGHT HERE, starting with the Fight Pass/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
To check out the latest and greatest “McGregor vs. Cerrone” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the entire UFC 246 fight card and PPV line up click here.
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