VIDEO: Conor McGregor Commemorates Muhammad Ali’s Influence in His Early Career

Conor McGregor is a once-in-a-generation talent and is one of the most followed combat sports athletes of all time.

McGregor has come from very humble beginnings. His rise in the UFC and his entire career have elevated the UFC brand. Evidently, The Notorious has transcended the sport of MMA.

At the UFC 196 press conference, a reporter asked McGregor about who did he look up to while growing up and told him his actions remind him of Muhammad Ali. McGregor replied that he takes inspiration from anywhere he can get it while he also hailed Muhammad Ali for his charisma.

McGregor spoke about how he was inspired by Muhammad Ali. He said, “I take inspiration and motivation from absolutely everything and anything, you know, people chasing their dream, putting their head down, working hard. For me obviously, Muhammad Ali was probably my first combat and sports star that I looked up to and I had never seen anything like that and I was fascinated by him, growing up”

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Many fans compare McGregor’s trash talk and mental warfare with the legend, Muhammad Ali. However, McGregor has expressed that he can never match the greatness of Ali. Though he appreciated the comparisons.

The world has witnessed Muhammad Ali’s greatness inside and outside the ring. On the other hand, many fans criticize McGregor for his antics outside the octagon. But when he will retire for good, the Irish superstar will certainly go down in history as one of the greatest and most talked-about athletes of all time.

Conor McGregor is looking to return to the octagon this summer

According to Dana White, McGregor will make his return somewhere around summer. This would align perfectly with International fight week. Also, White had hinted that he would favor the odds of a McGregor and Diaz fight this year.

McGregor had his eyes set on the UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. He had shown interest in fighting Oliviera and suggested it would be him vs Brazil part 2.

In the past; he has defeated the King of Rio Jose Aldo. But since Oliveira is fighting the ‘Highlight’ Justin Gaethje at UFC 274, McGregor could very well end up fighting Diaz in his return fight. Also, this will mark the last fight of Diaz in UFC.

McGregor’s call out of Oliveira made no sense, but if he wants to fight the Brazilian champion, it’s time to revisit his former foe, Rafael dos Anjos. The fight that got away is the fight to make for McGregor’s return this summer. RDA has a fight scheduled with Rafael Fiziev, but regardless of the outcome, the McGregor-RDA fight is the right fight to make. Also, this would free up Diaz and they could match him against Dustin Poirier.

Since his fight with Mayweather, Conor McGregor has not won a single fight in the UFC. Fans have questioned his desires and motivation ever since he came back inside the octagon. This time, though, McGregor is looking to come back and has given up drinking for his preparations.

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Who should Conor McGregor face in his return fight? How would a fight between McGregor and RDA play out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.