Conor McGregor made his victorious return to the octagon, finishing Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds. While most of the fans were excited to see the dominant performance from Conor some fans including ESPN’s journalist, Stephen A Smith were disappointed with Cowboy’s performance. Cerrone could not even throw a single significant strike. Conor hurt Cerrone with shoulder blows in the clinch, rocked him with a head kick, and finished the fight with some vicious ground and pound.
ESPN’s Stephen A Smith made some harsh comments about Donald Cerrone after the event. Smith stated that he was disgusted after the fight. Smith continued:
“When you look at ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, that was not a guy that was prepared to fight tonight. We knew Conor was going to be prepared. We knew Conor was going to be ready. We wondered whether or not he would take him out early. Obviously, as the fight goes on, ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is the bigger, stronger guy – supposedly. For him to be hurt in 15 seconds, get away from the clinch, and still just let Conor right back at him? Come on. You’re smarter than that, except for tonight.”
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Joe Rogan Fires Back at Stephen A Smith
UFC analyst, Joe Rogan addressed this topic on his podcast and said that “This guy should not be allowed to talk about fighting.” He also called out Smith for calling Donald Cerrone, one of the most experienced and decorated fighters in UFC a quitter. Cerrone has the most number of fights, most finishes, most submissions in UFC. He has fought some of the very best fighters this generation had to offer. Smith calling him a quitter was not appreciated by Joe Rogan as he replied:
“You called a guy a quitter [who], first of all, had a broken orbital bone,” Rogan stated “You’re saying he was a quitter? He got his face smashed. He got cracked by one of the biggest punches in the sport. He has the most wins in the [UFC], he has the most wins by finish, he has the most bonuses. I mean, come on. He has the most fights. You’re calling that guy a quitter? He got cracked! That’s what happens.”
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Conor McGregor Breaks Silence and Demands an Apology
And Now the Notorious, Conor McGregor responded to Stephen A Smith and demanded an apology from him:
“The call you discuss here is A+. I didn’t show enough. I’m not paid by the hour though. Joe’s comments, however, come from you saying the opposition fighter quit. Broken nose/orbital bone say different. Fighting is vicious. Those who make the walk deserve full respect! Apologise.”
The call you discuss here is A+. I didn’t show enough. I’m not paid by the hour though. Joe’s comments however, come from you saying the opposition fighter quit. Broken nose/orbital bone say different. Fighting is vicious. Those who make the walk deserve full respect!
Apologise.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 26, 2020
