Back in 2013, no one ever thought

Dana White‘s brief trip to Dublin would lead to the rise of UFC future superstar Conor McGregor, who, in just a few fights, cemented himself as the undisputed face of the promotion. Since then, he has continued to shine, reaching a level where no competitor could rival his standing. Irishman wasted no time dispatching opponents who crossed his path, ushering in what became widely known as the ‘McGregor Era’ in the UFC.

As McGregor ascended to prominence, it became evident that his allure stemmed not only from his fight skills but also from his charismatic and outspoken persona, which he used as mental warfare. This has fascinated both fans and UFC veterans on numerous occasions, drawing attention once again when UFC veteran Jon Anik addressed it in an interview.

Jon Anik Distinguishes Conor McGregor from Other Fighters

UFC commentator Jon Anik recently joined Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman on their ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast to discuss the changes he has witnessed during his journey in mixed martial arts. Throughout his decade-long stint in the promotion, Anik shared insights about MMA losing its respect, particularly as many fighters promote gambling apps on social media. He pointed out that, despite MMA being a sport built on respect, many fighters aspire to emulate Conor McGregor.

Anik underscored ‘Mystic Mac’s’ exceptional public speaking prowess, “I mean, I just feel like those athletes—and I always talk about Conor McGregor—I’m an orator, right? People give me credit for my speaking skills. Conor McGregor is a fucking master orator.” He continued to praise McGregor’s reliance on his own wit rather than pre-written scripts for hyping fights, asserting, “Most of his information and his verbal stuff was not pre-written. He just has the ability to say, ‘Who the fuck is that guy?’ on a live microphone. So, most of these guys don’t have that innate ability, whether they pre-rehearse what they say or not. You know, so Conor had it; not too many who have followed do.”

We can’t dispute Anik’s claims anymore, particularly after witnessing ‘Mystic Mac’s’ recent appearance at the BKFC event in Spain. In his role as a co-owner of BKFC, Conor McGregor not only participated in the event but also stepped into the ring as a commentator.

He readily took it upon himself to double the purses of the fighters, interrupting BKFC president David Feldman to announce, “What we are going to do for these gentlemen is double their pay!” This prompts intriguing reflections among fans: has McGregor truly discovered his endgame after his UFC contract?

Conor McGregor’s Potential New Career Path

When Conor McGregor once said, “When I step in there, I am going to shock the world, goddamn world, trust me on that,” no one ever thought it would come true. However, his natural speaking skills, blended with unforgettable charisma, always keep the audience on the hook—a rarity in the octagon. Despite being sidelined for a few years due to multiple setbacks, his love for the sport never kept him away.

Last week, even without stepping into the octagon as a fighter, Conor McGregor defied all odds and entered the ring as an announcer. His performance rivaled that of UFC announcer Bruce Buffer, leaving everyone in Spain with dropped jaws as he announced in Spanish, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship live from beautiful Marbella, Spain. And only on DAZN: What you are about to witness tonight, ladies and gentlemen, will be like nothing you have ever seen before. Bare Knuckle world title fight action.”

These antics combined with speculations of a probable stint as a competitor in his new-invested venture have given rise to considerable buzz in the MMA world. Will McGregor jump ships and make BKFC his new home? Or is he on a mission to further diversify his portfolio and plans to stay with the MMA juggernaut after all? Only time will tell! Nonetheless, fight fans are excited to know what is next for ‘The Notorious One’.

What are your thoughts on Jon Anik’s remarks about Conor McGregor? Do you think Conor ‘Irishman’ stands as the premier orator in the combat sports industry, or is there someone else who comes to mind? Drop your opinion below.