With the UFC’s July event in Dublin beginning to fill out you just knew Conor McGregor wouldn’t be far behind. Booked to face fellow featherweight Cole Miller in the night’s main event, McGregor makes his return following an 11 month layoff. The 25-year-old Irishman suffered a severe knee injury in his rout of Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 26 in August. Rehabbing a complete ACL tear, MCL strain and posterior horn meniscal tear of his left knee, McGregor says he’s put the setback behind him.
“What knee? The knee, to me, is a distant memory.” McGregor told Kenny Florian on UFC Tonight. “I’m done talking about the knee. I’ve spoken about it a long, long time. I am done now. I got the all clear, somebody’s going to pay. First in line is Cole Miller, Jul. 19 in my hometown Dublin.”
Miller, who’s wanted a piece of McGregor since calling him out in October, dubbed the Irishman as nothing more than a ‘show pony’ used to ‘buy a country.’
“I stay ready,” said McGregor. “[Miller] opened his mouth, he was under the influence of post-fight adrenaline. It has the same effect as alcohol. It makes you brave. He spoke with bravery, but guess what happened? It wore off. Now he’s faced with the reality that he’s going to face me Jul. 19.
“Me coming back from this injury is a man possessed. I’m going go in there and I’m going to break him in the very first exchange.”
Undeterred by his time away from the cage, McGregor isn’t impressed with Miller in the least. Training out of American Top Team, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt claims a four-inch reach advantage and holds a two-fight win streak.
“It does not matter,” said McGregor. “He does not have a reach advantage. He’s slow, he’s scared, I’m fast, I’m fearless. It’s no contest. The first exchange I’m going to break him. I see it in his voice. I see it in his body language. He’s petrified. I’m coming to get him. Not just him. Forget him. I’ve been listening to everyone calling me out and saying this and that while I’m forced to sit on the sideline. Now I’m back.
“I’m going to stop Cole. Whoever’s next. Cub [Swanson], I’ll break Cub. I’ll embarrass Chad [Mendes]. I’ll annihilate Jose [Aldo]. I’m coming to takeover the division. It’s my division.”
UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Miller takes place Jul. 19 from The O2 in Dublin, Ireland.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Mr. Nice Guy. After Rousimar Palhares withdrew from his fight with Jon Fitch to care for his sick mother, WSOF executive Ali Abdel-Aziz says he’s tired of seeing the promotion treated like a doormat.
Punishment. Tito Ortiz receives three years probation after pleading no contest to a DUI charge.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas talks covering UFC 172, Dana White’s relationship with the media, Jon Jones‘ eye pokes and more in this week’s live chat.
Life after 205. Dana White says age will ultimately push Jon Jones to the UFC’s heavyweight division.
Bloody Mess. A great way to catch up on some of April’s best MMA stories that flew under the radar.
MEDIA STEW
TUF 19 Fight: Daniel Spohn vs. Todd Monaghan.
Dan Henderson says Jon Jones ‘wasn’t as smart as he should have been’ against Glover Teixeira.
Renato Laranja Show: Episode 1 with Kenny Florian.
Career mode means going through TUF so you better be 21 and speak english.
Gunnar Nelson is very excited to be fighting Ryan LaFlare. Very excited.
Cathal Pendred tells the story of his recent baby dolphin rescue.
Long watches.
Bad Math 3-way: Dallas and Eugene on Tito/Dana, Cyborg/Rousey, Jon Jones
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TWEETS
He’s back.
Hey @PhilMrWonderful you’re more than welcome to borrow my Teddy
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 1, 2014
Like it?
What do you thing about that? I like that fight if it will be in august@danawhite @ufc @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/XnhuKlW2Zh
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 1, 2014
New headliner.
Looks like my title fight w/ @Justin_Gaethje will headline @MMAWorldSeries #WSOF11… Heres to somebody waking up wondering what happened
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) April 30, 2014
Get well soon.
A little eastern medicine to compliment my PT http://t.co/BfCXaNCP9M
— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) April 30, 2014
Little women.
Enjoying the company of many bad@$ strawweights!!! #tuf20 http://t.co/UZQV5r7AoV
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) May 1, 2014
Hotel sparring w @feliceherrig getting some hotel sparring in… Get errrr done! Lol #tuf20 @OatmegaBar pic.twitter.com/FEPwV8k5bm
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) May 1, 2014
Congrats.
Wow! I just got my #BlackBelt !! What a surprise pic.twitter.com/xun8V9Bb3N
— TJ Waldburger (@TJWaldburger) May 1, 2014
Good lord.
So @IKEVF ‘s walkout shirt literally paints the picture of winning “Fight Of The Night” #Heart pic.twitter.com/WNMkdqE7kh
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) May 1, 2014
Please do.
https://t.co/ZhvcV2JTev TNX @wandfc . DO SOMETHING INTERESTING AND ILL MAKE A VID OF YOU TOO:)
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) April 30, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Apr. 30 2014)
cancelled Rousimar Palhares vs. Jon Fitch at WSOF 11
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Jason High at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov
Conor McGregor vs. Cole Miller at UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Miller
Germaine de Randamie vs. Milana Dudieva at UFC 174
David Branch vs. Jesse Taylor at WSOF 10
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via DirtyBird2.
Tourney Frenzy!! BellatorMMA118 FULL Breakdown
Bellator has taken a week hiatus but it is finally back with yet another stacked card including two tourney fights as well as a likely tourney eliminator and Interim title fight! All live on SpikeTV 9pmEST May 2, 2014
0). Mike Mucitelli is mainly a grappler with 4 submission victories and only one tko and decision, but McGeary is a Renzo Gracie fighter and should have no problem going to the ground with Mucitelli. McGeary a star prospect from England has a purple belt in bjj under Braulio estima to go along with his devastating KO power he put on display against Beau Tribolet at Bellator 100. All of Mcgearys wins have come by way of stoppage (3 subs, 3 Ko’s) Expect this fight to be competitive where ever it goes. Prediction: Liam McGeary First Round KO
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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