Friday 19 April, 2024

The Conor McGregor backlash has already begun

Some people are not happy with McGregor being billed as ‘The Irish Muhammad Ali’.

HE MAY NOW be one of the country’s most respected athletes, but a small cohort of UFC fans have already started to turn against Conor McGregor.

Last night, McGregor beat Russian/German fighter Dennis Siver in Boston, in a bout that was heavily promoted on US TV with ads calling McGregor ‘The Irish Muhammad Ali’.

UFC Fight Night Boston AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta also hasn’t been shy with the comparison, saying McGregor’s “gift of the gab and his fighting ability” made him like Ali.

Fox Sports presenters in the US seemed to pick up on this and ran with it – and both American viewers and Irish UFC fans are irritated by the new moniker:

Spent last couple of days researching Muhammad Ali, then heard some UFC loon call Conor McGregor "the Irish Ali". Shameful ignorance there.
— Dave Hannigan (@daveyhannigan) January 13, 2015

Dave Hannigan / Twitter

Joe Buck calling Conor McGregor the Irish Muhammad Ali was almost enough to turn the TV off.
— Hank Mardukas (@downers89) January 18, 2015

Marty Downes / Twitter

Muhammad Ali is the American Conor McGregor. See how absurd that sounds?
— Luke Thomas🏋️‍♀️ (@lthomasnews) January 18, 2015

Luke Thomas / Twitter

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Honestly, referring to Conor McGregor as the "Irish Muhammad Ali" is just ridiculous. He's beat a few guys in the UFC.. slow the f**k down..
— Fight Parrot (@FightParrot) January 17, 2015

Fight Parrot / Twitter

Some conceded that McGregor has talent, but still held no truck with the comparison:

Conor McGregor ain't the Irish Muhammad Ali but sure is out there moving like a pale Anderson Silva. He won with a confident ease.
— Sparky Slanderson (@Beyonder313) January 19, 2015

Sparky Slanderson / Twitter

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These Ali comparisons are stupid & take away from how McGregor has brought MMA to an entire country. That, without the hyperbole, is enough
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) January 18, 2015

Seán Sheehan / Twitter

While some were just unequivocal in their dismissal of the athlete:

The sooner someone knocks that clown Conor mcgregor into next week the better. An absolute irritant, of the highest order
— Len Raynor (@Connoed) January 18, 2015

Len Raynor / Twitter

Conor mcgregor is a clown !
— Odhrán Mac Niallais (@OdhranMac101) January 18, 2015

Odhrán Mac Niallais / Twitter

McGregor himself has said he doesn’t want to be compared to Ali, telling ESPN that though he is honoured by the comments, the legendary fighter is “special”.

Let’s see if he can shake it off before he fights the UFC champion Jose Aldo in Las Vegas in May.

Read: McGregor brushes Siver aside to set up a UFC title bout with Jose Aldo>

Author

Valerie Loftus

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The Conor McGregor backlash has already begun

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

Some conceded that McGregor has talent, but still held no truck with the comparison:

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

While some were just unequivocal in their dismissal of the athlete:

Read: McGregor brushes Siver aside to set up a UFC title bout with Jose Aldo>