When your fines and tweets make it on a nationally syndicated sports show, you know you’re doing something right.
Conor McGregor’s massive $150,000 fine levied against him by Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for his part in a water bottle battle with Nate Diaz and Co. — and responding tweet — was a topic on “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed” on FS1, where hosts Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless discuss the hot topics in sports.
And wouldn’t you know it, both men had nothing but praise for the Irishman, who’s bad boy persona and ability to sell a fight has not only earned him the label of greatest heroic villain in all of sports, but comparisons to the late Muhammad Ali.
“I love the tweet and I love Conor McGregor. He’s turned into the most heroic villain or villainous hero that we have in all of sports. I love what he tweeted because it’s absolutely true what he tweeted,” said Bayless.
Indeed, Conor is second-to-none when it comes to being a villain, as his verbal fire has spared no one since he made his Octagon debut. And it’s his unique way with words that draws the interest of even those who aren’t the biggest fans of the sport.
“I’m not the biggest fan of UFC, but I watch when he’s doing a press conference or the weigh-ins because I want to hear what he has to say. Nobody can sell a fight like he can. Only Ali could sell a fight better than Conor McGregor,” said Sharpe, an NFL Hall of Famer who played 13 years in the league, all with the Denver Broncos.
Like Ali was to boxing in his prime, Conor has become the biggest figure in all of MMA, and his earnings show that, much to the chagrin of some.
While “Notorious” — who will next face lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 on Nov. 12, 2016 in New York — has been transcending all of his MMA expectations — minus defending the featherweight title — his reach has been going beyond the cage (prime example here).
Now, some of the top sports analysts believe he deserves to be in the same breath as “The Greatest” and leaves every other athlete in the dust when it comes to being a villain.
Anyone have an issue with those comments?