Conor McGregor Responds To Stephen A. Smith For ‘Cowboy’ Criticism

ESPN sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith took a lot of criticism for his take on Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone’s performance against Conor McGregor at UFC 246. Smith said he was “disgusted” with Cerrone’s performance, which saw him finished in 40 seconds by the returning McGregor. The mixed martial arts (MMA) community didn’t take too kindly to […]

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ESPN sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith took a lot of criticism for his take on Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone’s performance against Conor McGregor at UFC 246.

Smith said he was “disgusted” with Cerrone’s performance, which saw him finished in 40 seconds by the returning McGregor. The mixed martial arts (MMA) community didn’t take too kindly to Smith criticizing a legend like Cerrone the way he did, including longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan. Rogan recently responded to Smith’s comments on his podcast, saying it was a bad look for the sport.

Now, Smith took to his Twitter to post a video, responding to Rogan’s comments, noting he has a lot of respect for Rogan, but saying he was wrong on this one.

“Mad respect to Joe Rogan, nothing but respect for the man and the tremendous work he has done and he will continue to throughout the years and for the years to come. But you’re wrong on this one my man,” Smith said. “Me, Stephen A. Smith, me being at the Conor McGregor fight, against “Cowboy” Cerrone, saying what I said, that he didn’t show us much in 40 seconds.

“That warrants, ‘it’s not good for the sport,’ it’s not good for me? It’s not good for ESPN? First of all, as it pertains to ESPN, check the numbers. The subscribers to ESPN+, the level of attention that it got, the traffic that it generated in digital and beyond. Check the numbers, number one. That’s not just because of me, that’s because of you. Cause of Ariel [Helwani], because of Chael [Sonnen], because of Michael Bisping, and everybody else associated with it. Check the numbers, number one.

“That’s not good for the sport? I certainly think that’s good for the sport. I don’t claim to be the aficionado you are, or anybody else covering this sport, but excuse me. I have been a reporter for 25 years, I have covered sports on a variety of competitive levels, regardless of what the sport is. That includes boxing and the UFC.”

Smith continued on by offering Rogan to name the time and place where they could debate his take on the fight, as well as his credentials to discuss MMA, and he’ll be there.

“I stand by that,” Smith said. “I don’t think disagreeing with that position warrants the type of criticism that came in my direction. Having said that, you’re entitled, you have your right. As I have my right to respond, as I’m doing right now. But anytime you want to talk to me about this fight, or you want to talk to me about my credentials to discuss something in the world of sports. Name the time and place Joe Rogan, and I’ll show up.

“It’s not a problem. It’s not a problem at all. You don’t know me so I’m not going to knock you for speaking out the way you spoke out, without calling me – I don’t care about all that. I respect where you’re coming from. You’re just wrong on this particular one, and I’m telling you you’re wrong.”

One man who responded to Smith’s video response to Rogan was none other than Conor McGregor himself. While McGregor agreed that he didn’t show enough in the 40 seconds he was in the Octagon against Cerrone, the Irishman did seem to take issue with Smith’s comments on Cerrone. McGregor told Smith he should apologize for his comments.

“The call you discuss here is A+. I didn’t show enough. I’m not paid by the hour though. Joe’s comments however, come from you saying the opposition fighter quit. Broken nose/orbital bone say different. Fighting is vicious. Those who make the walk deserve full respect! Apologise.”

This led to a very lengthy response from Smith.

“Sir, mich respect to the great @TheNotoriousMMA. My recollection on what I said is “That’s the way it looked.” Cowboy Cerrone is a perennial top-10 fighter. Much respect to him for the lengthy career he has had. Wishing him nothing but the best. But I don’t think it’s unfair to say that more than 40-seconds was expected from as tough of an SOB as he is, @TheNotoriousMMA.

“Nor do I think it’s wrong to assume that there’s no way that’s 40-second fight would take place w/ you vs Nurmegamedov or Masvidal. We expected more than what we got. Props to YOU for that. But to know how tough Cowboy is, lots of fans like myself expected more and I don’t think @joerogan is right to question my knowledge about a fight just because I wasn’t satisfied with what I saw.

“I said what I said and I meant it. It’s possible to do that and still have tremendous respect for you @TheNotoriousMMA, along with @joerogan. Both of you are fantastic for the @UFC. I wouldn’t enjoy it nearly as much without the both of you. I wish you both prosperity in the future. But we clearly disagree about Cowboy’s performance on Jan.18.”

What do you think about McGregor’s response to Smith’s comments?

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Stephen A. Smith Fires Back At Joe Rogan: ‘I’m Telling You You’re Wrong’

Stephen A. Smith is well aware of UFC color commentator Joe Rogan’s criticism of his take on the UFC 246 main event. On Jan. 18, Conor McGregor made his highly-anticipated return to the Octagon against Donald Cerrone. McGregor earned the TKO vict…

Stephen A. Smith is well aware of UFC color commentator Joe Rogan’s criticism of his take on the UFC 246 main event. On Jan. 18, Conor McGregor made his highly-anticipated return to the Octagon against Donald Cerrone. McGregor earned the TKO victory in just 40 seconds. During a post-fight breakdown with Rogan on ESPN’s SportsCenter, […]

The post Stephen A. Smith Fires Back At Joe Rogan: ‘I’m Telling You You’re Wrong’ appeared first on MMA News.

Joe Rogan Says Stephen A. Smith Shouldn’t Be Allowed To Talk About Fighting

Joe Rogan believes Stephen A. Smith is lost when it comes to the fight game. There’s no denying that Smith is ESPN’s most popular personality. He reaches out to a wider audience over his fellow ESPN journalists and his insight often times l…

Joe Rogan believes Stephen A. Smith is lost when it comes to the fight game. There’s no denying that Smith is ESPN’s most popular personality. He reaches out to a wider audience over his fellow ESPN journalists and his insight often times leaves sports fans at odds. When it comes to mixed martial arts, however, […]

The post Joe Rogan Says Stephen A. Smith Shouldn’t Be Allowed To Talk About Fighting appeared first on MMA News.

Joe Rogan Reacts To Stephen A. Smith Bashing ‘Cowboy’: That’s A Bad Look For Everybody

Stephe A. Smith struck a nerve with the mixed martial arts (MMA) community with his comments about Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on the UFC 246 post-fight show last week. Cerrone had just lost to Conor McGregor in 40 seconds of their pay-per-view (PPV) main event. After the fight, Smith expressed how “disgusted” he was with Cerrone’s […]

The post Joe Rogan Reacts To Stephen A. Smith Bashing ‘Cowboy’: That’s A Bad Look For Everybody appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Stephe A. Smith struck a nerve with the mixed martial arts (MMA) community with his comments about Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on the UFC 246 post-fight show last week.

Cerrone had just lost to Conor McGregor in 40 seconds of their pay-per-view (PPV) main event. After the fight, Smith expressed how “disgusted” he was with Cerrone’s performance, before proceeding to bash the longtime UFC veteran. Alongside him during those comments was longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan. Rogan mentioned on the broadcast that he disagreed with Smith, but didn’t go into too much detail.

That all changed during a recent episode of Rogan’s podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” alongside Josh Thomson. Rogan suggested that, had he done the broadcast like someone such as Daniel Cormier, it would’ve been better for the sport. (H/T MMA Junkie)

“(Daniel Cormier) and I would’ve had a completely different conversation and it would’ve been better for the sport,” Rogan said. “There’s no positive in downplaying the career of Donald Cerrone and what he can do as a fighter. What that showed to me is how phenomenal Conor performed. That’s what it showed to me.

“If either you or I was talking about cricket, and we were on TV doing commentary on cricket, we would look out of place. It would be (expletive) up and real cricket fans would be upset at us. That’s nothing. You are naked in the most literal sense of the word (in MMA). Physically, you are naked. Emotionally, when fighters lose, it’s (expletive) devastating.

“For Conor to smash ‘Cowboy’ like that in front of his wife, his kid, his grandma and the whole world. You’ve got to have some respect for that man, and this sport demands a different perspective. It’s not the same thing as a ball going into a hoop. It’s not the same thing as crossing a line with a football. It’s different. It’s very intense and very personal, and it’s also very (expletive) dangerous and to play it off like it’s just a game, I don’t agree with it.”

Rogan understands that Smith is a household name in sports broadcasting and why ESPN added him to the program. However, the longtime UFC commentator simply believes his comments are a bad look on the sport.

“That’s a bad look for everybody,” Rogan said. “It’s a bad look for ESPN, it’s a bad look for him, it’s a bad look for the sport. There’s other people that can do this. … We have plenty of people out there who understand the sport. There’s plenty of them. But the thing about him is he’s really popular.

“(He just got a contract extension) because his personality is so fun. He’s a fun guy to watch and people love (expletive)-talking and they love people arguing about (expletive) and one person is better at arguing. Stephen A. Smith is really good at that stuff. But it’s not the place for MMA. It’s just not the place. It’s not the same thing.”

What do you think about Rogan’s comments regarding Smith being on UFC broadcasts?

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MMA Community Rips Stephen A. Smith For Ugly Pad Workout

Footage recently emerged of Stephen A. Smith doing pad work — and it came at the worst possible time. A video was posted on Tuesday showing the ESPN commentator doing slow pad work as it quickly went viral. One reason why could be because of Smith’s overall popularity. Another reason may be because it came […]

The post MMA Community Rips Stephen A. Smith For Ugly Pad Workout appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Footage recently emerged of Stephen A. Smith doing pad work — and it came at the worst possible time.

A video was posted on Tuesday showing the ESPN commentator doing slow pad work as it quickly went viral.

One reason why could be because of Smith’s overall popularity. Another reason may be because it came following his harsh criticism of Donald Cerrone.

Cerrone faced Conor McGregor at UFC 246 this past weekend and suffered a quick 40-second defeat. Smith was not pleased with what he saw as he unloaded on “Cowboy” after the event:

“I’m quite disgusted,” Smith said. “Let me be very, very clear: I’m honored to be up here with you guys. I’m a spectator watching the sport. I expected to see more than 40 seconds. I predicted McGregor was going to win this fight inside of two rounds. I thought he would take him out.

“Here’s the deal: 15 seconds in, ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone was done. He got hit with those shoulders in the clinch, and he was done. It look like he gave up. It was just an atrocious performance on his part.”

Smith’s comments did not go down well with many in the MMA community. And so, it was fitting that they responded by roasting his pad work.

You can see the responses below:

What do you think of Smith’s pad work?

The post MMA Community Rips Stephen A. Smith For Ugly Pad Workout appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Stephen A. Smith Was ‘Disgusted’ With Donald Cerrone At UFC 246

Donald Cerrone couldn’t get the job done against Conor McGregor at UFC 246 last night (Sat. January 18, 2020). McGregor only needed 40 seconds to take out “Cowboy” after some nasty shoulder shots, a head-kick, and ground-and-pound. With the loss, the narrative that Cerrone can’t win the big fight continues. There was a lot of […]

The post Stephen A. Smith Was ‘Disgusted’ With Donald Cerrone At UFC 246 appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Donald Cerrone couldn’t get the job done against Conor McGregor at UFC 246 last night (Sat. January 18, 2020).

McGregor only needed 40 seconds to take out “Cowboy” after some nasty shoulder shots, a head-kick, and ground-and-pound. With the loss, the narrative that Cerrone can’t win the big fight continues. There was a lot of criticism thrown at “Cowboy” for his performance last night, but it was comments from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith that really got people’s attention.

Speaking on the post-fight show on ESPN+, Smith had some harsh words for the longtime mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran. (H/T MMA Junkie)

“I’m quite disgusted,” Smith said. “Let me be very, very clear: I’m honored to be up here with you guys. I’m a spectator watching the sport. I expected to see more than 40 seconds. I predicted McGregor was going to win this fight inside of two rounds. I thought he would take him out.

“Here’s the deal: 15 seconds in, ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone was done. He got hit with those shoulders in the clinch, and he was done. It look like he gave up. It was just an atrocious performance on his part.”

Smith then questioned if Cerrone was even prepared to fight McGregor in what was certainly the biggest fight of his career.

“You know the difference between a fighter that’s calm, cool, collected, and ready for the pressure, and it’s out-weighed by somebody that’s clearly in over their head? When you look at ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, that was not a guy that was prepared to fight tonight. We knew Conor was going to be prepared,” Smith said.

“We knew Conor was going to be ready. We wondered whether or not he would take him out early. Obviously as the fight goes on, ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is the bigger, stronger guy – supposedly. For him to be hurt in 15 seconds, get away from the clinch, and still just let Conor right back at him? Come on. You’re smarter than that, except for tonight.”

What do you think about Smith’s criticism of Cerrone?

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