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Nobody is condoning Conor McGregor’s sucker punch on an elderly Irishman back in April, but maybe there’s more to the story than just the disturbing video footage released this week.
Not only are some of McGregor’s biggest fans holding out hope for a deeper explanation into the former champion’s actions, but so are his fellow UFC fighters. Just ask former UFC lightweight titleholder Anthony Pettis, who believes that “Notorious” may have been provoked.
“It was crazy, but who knows what that dude said?” Pettis told MMA Junkie during UFC 241’s media day. “I’m sure something was said for him to do that. He’s not going to punch somebody in the face for no reason.”
Regardless of what the old man sitting at the bar may have said to McGregor as he declined a shot of Proper No. Twelve twice, there’s really no scenario that would put the UFC fighter in the right. At the end of the day, McGregor is a professional combat athlete. He should never be swinging on anyone outside of the Octagon.
Pettis, who may have questions about McGregor’s motive to strike a bar patron, certainly doesn’t condone the Irishman’s action. And while “Showtime” gears up for a co-main event tilt with McGregor’s rival, Nate Diaz, this weekend at UFC 241 in Anaheim, Calif., he’s still thinking about a clash with “Notorious” inside of the cage.
“That’s another fan favorite fight,” Pettis said of a potential matchup with McGregor. “I’m not going to sit here and wait for Conor McGregor and call him out or anything. If he wants to fight and he wants to fight me, send the contract and I’ll be there.”
For now, McGregor will have to do what he can to save whatever face remains with fight fans as Pettis tries to win one of the biggest fights of his career. Should both men escape the month of August with their MMA stocks intact we may end up seeing a long-awaited clash between “Showtime” and “Notorious” later this year.