Conor McGregor, one of the most recognizable faces in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world, is no stranger to controversy. But the Irish fighter recently found himself in the crosshairs of none other than his fellow countryman Liam Neeson.
In a recent interview with Men’s Health, Neeson shared his thoughts on the UFC and his fellow Irishman McGregor. His words were less than flattering, calling UFC “like a bar fight” and criticizing McGregor for giving Ireland a bad name. He also made reference to McGregor’s track record for aggressive behavior in other areas of his life, including his 2018 attack on a UFC bus and subsequent arrest for smashing a fan’s phone.
“UFC I can’t stand,” Neeson said. “That to me is like a bar fight. I know the practitioners are like, ‘no, you’re wrong—the months of training we do…’ Why don’t you just grab a beer bottle and hit the other guy over the head? That’s the next stage of the UFC. I hate it… That little leprechaun Conor McGregor, he gives Ireland a bad name. I know he’s fit, and I admire him for that. But I can’t take it.”
McGregor has since responded to Neeson’s comments on Twitter with a tweet (or more accurately, a subtweet) of his own, simply writing: “Irish proud – always,” accompanied by an emoji of the Irish flag.
Irish proud – always. 🇮🇪
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 3, 2023
McGregor’s response may come as a surprise to some, given his past history of legal issues, but perhaps it is a sign that he may be taming his Irish temper. His tweet is not only a nod to his Irish heritage, but it is also a sign of respect for Neeson, a fellow Irishman, and a highly respected actor.
McGregor has been a divisive figure in the MMA world and beyond, with some fans praising him for his outspokenness and others criticizing him for his aggressive behavior. However, his response to Neeson’s comments shows a different side of the fighter.
According to Sportsnaut,
“After nearly 20 months of recovery from broken bones in his leg suffered during a 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier, McGregor will be back in the cage later this year, and welcoming him back will be multi-time Bellator lightweight champion and UFC star Michael Chandler.”
