SBG Dublin featherweight James Gallagher says Conor McGregor should stay in the sidelines unless he gets a piece of the UFC.
For the second time in his MMA career, UFC superstar Conor McGregor announced his “retirement” in March. While his coaches have declared his rekindled motivation, there remains an air of uncertainty about his return.
But for his SBG Dublin teammate James Gallagher, “The Notorious” should remain in the sidelines until he gets what is due him. And according to the Bellator featherweight fighter, McGregor should be granted some shares of the UFC.
“I hope he does (return) because I feel like he shouldn’t come back unless he gets what he deserves,” Gallagher told ESPN (transcript by BJPenn.com). “This is a game about you stand up for what you believe in. You have that loyalty. Being Irish it is bred into us, being young, you stand up for what you believe in. Take nothing less than what you deserve. You have that loyalty to death.
“I really hope he sticks to that and gets what he deserves. He deserves the share in the company where he is at. He doesn’t deserve anything less. If he doesn’t I hope he can maybe venture off. He’s got more money than anyone on the f—ng planet.”
For Gallagher, McgGregor being granted company shares is one good way for the UFC to show loyalty and respect.
“He can go do a lot of fun things to pass his time. He’s got a family now and stuff like this,” Gallagher said. “He’s a very smart man. Proper twelve whiskey, making loads of money through that. He can venture off and maybe do other things that are fun to him. Deep down at heart, he is a fighter and he will want to fight again.
“But, he should not unless he gets what he deserves,” he continued. “Right now, they don’t have the loyalty or respect to give him what he deserves. We stand up for this, he brought the companies revenue up to what it is single-handedly.
“He deserves it. I hope he gets what he deserves and comes back and fights. If he doesn’t get what he deserves, best of luck in retirement.”
McGregor already has some possible high-profile fights lined up for him, namely against Anthony Pettis, a rematch against Khabib Nurmagomedov, and a trilogy bout against Nate Diaz.