Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
During the UFC 246 pre-fight press conference (see it again here), Conor McGregor couldn’t help but to admire Donald Cerrone’s python suit jacket, which accompanied his signature hat and rattlesnake boots.
In the middle of the friendly back-and-forth, “Cowboy” jokingly stated that it would be in his best interest to be on the lookout for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) due to his choice of attire. Conor replied that he may also have a target on his back for his love of mink jackets and python shoes.
Now, PETA is firing back at the two knockout artists — who will collide this Saturday night (Jan. 18) at UFC 246 in Las Vegas, Nevada — dubbing them cowards for their sense of humor and decision to gloat about wearing dead animals on their skin.
Hi @TheNotoriousMMA and @CowboyCerrone!
You’re right! We ARE here—to remind you that only COWARDS would brag about wearing an animal who was likely beaten & skinned alive.
Why don’t you knock out your insecurities and only wear your OWN skin? https://t.co/e6jCY9x7IZ
— PETA (@peta) January 16, 2020
“You’re right! We ARE here—to remind you that only COWARDS would brag about wearing an animal who was likely beaten & skinned alive,” read the tweet. “Why don’t you knock out your insecurities and only wear your OWN skin?”
In response, Cerrone had this to say to PETA during a recent media scrum via MMA Junkie.
“Man, I guess if killing humans was legal I could probably wear a bad-ass human jacket,” Cerrone said. “I got a white buffalo at home, PETA. And when she crokes, I’m going to wear a (expletive) (expletive) ass white buffalo cape one of these days.”
Being an avid hunter and owner of a ranch, Cerrone used his “kill what you eat” motto to fire right back.
“At the ranch I have a lot of animals: turkeys, goats, chickens, pigs. We kill them and butcher them, and we eat them all ourselves, man. We use every bit of them. So it’s not like – I don’t just go down to the store and buy beef,” he added. “We raise it and kill it and eat it. So, if there’s something inhumane or unjust about killing beef for my own sake, PETA, you’re (expletive) up,” he added.
“Granted, I didn’t kill the snake or raise the snake to build a python jacket, but goddammit it was (expletive) cool, so I had to wear to it.”
Conor, meanwhile, hasn’t responded to the backlash…yet.
MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 246 fight card this weekend RIGHT HERE, starting with the Fight Pass/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
To check out the latest and greatest “McGregor vs. Cerrone” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the entire UFC 246 fight card and PPV line up click here.