‘The pimp is here.’
UFC president Dana’s White’s post-fight introduction of Conor McGregor at UFC 178 wasn’t high-brow, but it was apt.
It’s no secret White had clearly already begun sketching out an addition on his Mount Rushmore of favorites, but the UFC boss broke out the chisel Saturday night when he put ‘The Notorious’ above both former champions Brock Lesnar and Georges St-Pierre.
“Conor McGregor is the real deal – he is legit,” White told Ariel Helwani on FOX Sports 1’s post-fight show. “He is a force that I have never seen ever. Bigger than Brock Lesnar when he was here. Bigger than any of the fighters we’ve ever had. Yes, (he’s bigger than Georges St-Pierre). I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Backstage at the event, White continued his praise of McGregor. Describing McGregor’s meteoric rise, White declared the Irishman’s star hasn’t just risen faster than any other fighter currently in the UFC, but in MMA’s history.
“In other sports, too,” White told Megan Olivi. “You don’t see something like this. You don’t see somebody burst on to the scene and have such a massive impact before he was even ranked in the top ten.”
White admitted that even he thought McGregor had gotten ahead of himself by predicting a first-round stoppage.
“Dustin Poirier is awesome and he’s one of the best in the world,” said White. “I was saying before the fight, “Why would Conor McGregor say, ‘I’m going to finish the No. 5 guy in the world in the first round.’ He’s setting himself up for failure.” Well, goes to show you what I know.
“What we saw tonight was that Conor McGregor is for real, he’s legit and holy s**t. Wow.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘The Card That Played Out Perfectly.’ Chuck Mindenhall explains how Dominick Cruz and not Conor McGregor stole the show at UFC 178
Aftermath. Dave Doyle gets you caught up on all things UFC 178.
Post-show. Ariel Helwani and Shaun Al-Shatti wrap up UFC 178, breaking down the top storylines after Saturday night’s card.
Stoolgate. Tim Kennedy confronts Yoel Romero following their controversial bout at UFC 178.
Spider. After saying he’d never fight for a UFC title again, Anderson Silva now says he ‘won’t stop (fighting) until I get my title back.’
MEDIA STEW
Highlights from UFC 178.
UFC 178 post-fight presser highlights. (Full presser here)
Conor McGregor post-fight scrum.
Full fight: Dominick Cruz vs. Takeya Mizugaki.
Highlights from Bellator 126.
Long watches.
Stories From Stockholm: Swedish Giants
…
UFC 181 press conference video
TWEETS
Check out our Pros React piece for instant reaction from UFC 178.
Victory lap.
“@BenWirtz: @Cowboycerrone on the Austin card sounds good to me. @ufc @EASPORTSUFC @danawhite @arielhelwani” Yup meeeee toooooo
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) September 29, 2014
Another battle won. But the war has just begun. Always a sincere respect to the fallen. Thank you all for the support pic.twitter.com/6K90InQcMj
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 28, 2014
My homecoming surprise at the airport!!! @ufc #UFC178 pic.twitter.com/bLsyhE9WHG
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) September 28, 2014
Me here with my coaches! I couldn’t do it without these guys! #raythompson #tomlee #carlosmachado #upstatekarate… http://t.co/z6bF8DqtUT
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) September 28, 2014
Up in the cheap seats of the MGM.. Just watched two if the best fights I’d ever seen, Romero vs. Kennedy and… http://t.co/PRQq7VvcJH
— Brian Ebersole (@TwasEbersole) September 28, 2014
We got the W. It was a hard fight but well earned. Solidified that I’m one of the top prospects to… http://t.co/s6BEm0k3G9
— Kevin Lee (@MoTownPhenom) September 28, 2014
I wanna thank everyone who came out and supported me. I’m very happy that I got the W. Thank u @ufc and the fans love u all #anvil
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) September 28, 2014
Thanks for everyone for supporting me during my fight with @PatrickyPitbull at @BellatorMMA . I am resting in Las Vegas now 🙂
— Marcin Held (@MarcinHeld) September 29, 2014
Better luck next time.
Very disappointed about last night , But I want to Thank everyone for the overwhelming support you Give . I will use This , I Promise ..
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) September 28, 2014
Live by the sword Die by the sword I’m truly heart broken.
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 28, 2014
NAC?467.728 If a combatant fails or refuses to resume competing when the bell sounds…the referee shall award a decision of TKO
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) September 28, 2014
Come thank all friends, fans and teammates for their support, was very well prepared for my team MMA Masters, I know where I went wrong, I’m ready to repair and come back stronger. Thanks UFC for the opportunity and I’ll soon be back. A big hug Lioness.
! Thank you everyone who gave me support … ended up losing
????????…??????????????????????!!
— Takeya Mizugaki (@takeya_miz) September 28, 2014
It was great to get back in and compete again. I have much to learn from last night and I’m e… http://t.co/LR7ek8O0KU pic.twitter.com/6Yp5kRCCe3
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) September 28, 2014
@patrick_cote thank you man and it was an honor brotha.
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) September 28, 2014
Fucking bull shit !!!
— JohnDoomsdayHoward (@JohnDoomsday) September 28, 2014
Got my make up done. #ufc178 http://t.co/McfhOklmzT pic.twitter.com/hOBLZGG0B3
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) September 28, 2014
You know you want it, yes, even more McGregor.
Congratulations to @TheNotoriousMMA on the @ufc victory tonight. The McGregor-nator strikes again!
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) September 28, 2014
Back in the Presidential relaxing with my family and team!! pic.twitter.com/iSFd2dUegt
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 29, 2014
@DustinPoirier you’re a martial artist and will continue on the journey. If you’re ever in Ireland please drop by @SBG_Ireland take care
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) September 29, 2014
With CONOR McGREGOR after his unbelievable victory in UFC 178. ??????? ?????. http://t.co/Fu4Qho7t6x pic.twitter.com/9H2Op52qFK
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 28, 2014
.@TheNotoriousMMA You’ve ducked me for 2 years. Time to step up & get an All-American ass whoppin! @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby @arielhelwani
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) September 28, 2014
The only Fuck I have to give to all the McGregor nut huggers on my Twitter. #HatersPayMyBills http://t.co/5I0q7JArTB
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) September 28, 2014
Damn.
He is still looks pissed that he didn’t get ‘Performance of the Night” last night. #UFC178 pic.twitter.com/l1I97ux4sZ
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) September 28, 2014
Tim Kennedy getting stitches without any numbing injection makes me think his fight name should be Dalton from now on http://t.co/ULWZuNNxHM
— Thomas E Watson (@TomKongWatson) September 28, 2014
Get well soon.
Sick! Good night my friends 🙂 pic.twitter.com/F1d6B9eJV3
— Jhenny Andrade UFC (@jhennyandrade10) September 29, 2014
Full time.
Interesting.
Don’t know why my picture is on this list ufc fighters get paid average unless u are the champ. http://t.co/SjAb2z681L
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) September 28, 2014
What’s happening here?
@WallidJfc “Was so much fun to film with the shows cast Wallid as all are cool and very funny!” @ufcfightclub @ufc pic.twitter.com/De9fjb3sZV
— Bruce Buffer (@brucebuffer) September 28, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Sept. 26-28 2014)
cancelled Louis Gaudinot vs. Patrick Holohan at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
Rafael Cavalcante out, Francimar Barroso vs. Ovince Saint Preux at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Manuwa
Nina Ansaroff vs. Juliana Lima at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Manuwa
Leon Edwards vs. Claudio Silva at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Manuwa
Charles Rosa vs. Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Graham Douglas.
Kennedy vs. Romero. Correct Call Is No Contest. Simple.
I’m not favoring either fighter. Clearly this is a case where intervention is needed. Quick action is required and this should be ruled a no contest. Neither fighter should win, simple.
Everyone has an opinion on this one, but why would anyone suggest that Romero won fair and square? Anyone suggesting Kennedy should win is also slightly delusional.
This was a mess, no question about it. Even a veteran ref like Big John likely hasn’t encountered this before. I would suggest that all refs take a look at this situation and come up with a game plan. Perhaps the pre fight discussions with fighters need to address this possible situation.
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