Former two-division champion Conor McGregor sat down with Megan Olivi to discuss coaching this season, fighting Michael …
great we’re here in Las Vegas Connor I haven’t seen you in over a year and a half UFC 264 was the last time we were able to chat and it’s been a crazy Journey for you what has life been like for you these last couple of years the only thing I was recovering from the injury trying to walk my way back and now here we are I’m out here in Las Vegas I’m embarrassing myself in the game coaching these young kids coming up trying to fight for for their contract trying to am you know give my wisdom and my knowledge of the game that I’ve attained over the years and that’s it it’s good to be back do you enjoy coaching The Ultimate Fighter obviously we already saw you on Season 22 but when you got the call again what made you say yes it’s just it’s time it’s time for me to mess myself back in the game you know and I was just excited to get back to you I couldn’t turn down the offer I was happy with it I enjoyed myself the last time for me when I started teaching and and I I used to coach a boxing class and John in my coach John’s many years ago before I even got into the UFC and that kind of that me committing to coaching a class and coaching a couple of people it almost forced me to dial in a bit more I had to think about the technique I had to think about what way I was gonna teach what I was going to teach why I was teaching it and it just allowed me to actually get better so you know it works both ways it’s helped me and like I said I’m happy to be back we’re doing some good work with the guys they’re responding to it well and you know all’s going well what’s the toughest part of coaching the athletes on The Ultimate Fighter you know it’s you you become tired to them you know you want to see the guys do well it’s still it’s I suppose the toughest part is you’ve only you’ve only got a couple of days and then you you know you’re up for the first round so you don’t really get an impact and if the guy is out of the competition and then maybe I’ve you know I’ve noticed after I go maybe it’s not got an unfair result they’re not knock out the result we wanted but then as the days pass after that the weeks pass as we get more walked on the guy is really starting to come into his arm so I suppose the Harry Potter has seen that the potential that these young young guys could could have I do have and then it’s you know it’s already over almost I suppose but I I I’m happy the guys are happy and I’m sure there’ll be more opportunities for you you were able to have some people who are close to you come and join the season as well how important is it to be able to use your success in things and help others find success as well yeah I think I think it’s a duty it’s our duty as human beings to give back we got we must give back so that that’s always been a way I can I carry myself and you know I have a guy I know I’ve trained with many years Lee Hammond your young kid on the climb and he’s been with me in my Camp all the way through from the Mendes fight Aldo all them and uh you know he’s doing well and that’s it we’ve also I’ve also got another guy Brad Katona he’s part of paradise sports management stable he also trains with my coach John yeah in John’s gym so John is close to him and uh that that’s that’s really it but yeah for you is there any difference coaching against Michael Chandler than there was against coaching Uriah favor oh no I’m having a bit of fun to be honest with you I don’t mind Michael at all I might don’t mind the team the team The Lads you know there was a bit of hostility at one stage but for the most part it’s been it’s been a lot of good fun okay and happy days so I do this again I I really for sure coaches like coaches not self to be honest do you enjoy being here in Las Vegas to also kind of removing yourself from that home base in Ireland I like Las Vegas I’ve got a base out here I’ve got got a house out here the kids are out here with me um and d and you know they’re in school and everything out here so we like Las Vegas a lot here you are yeah training for a return you know not only just to return Megan the three latest return in Combat Sports this is going to be you know uh I’m going to kick this guy in the head he’s just Taylor Made for being kicked all over the place and that’s what I’m aiming for I’m aiming to wrap this steel bar around around the opponent and you’re going to see a visual of the leg hanging off and then you’re going to see a visual of a head hanging off you know so I’m excited for that and I’m motivated for a steady making my way towards it what made Michael Chandler the right opponent to face on a comeback nice put on some exciting faces eager he’s willing to fight he’s a he’s a gamer you’d call him and he’s not a bad fighter either so I’m happy with the opponent or you don’t actually care I accepted this uh show it was me and channeling so oh again I don’t it doesn’t bother me what do I hope for in this world Megan I hope for 100 more fights I hope for consistency I hope for a run I’ve had this on off on off for the last World and you know I just I just I just want to get this nice consistency going and I’m hoping now when I come back this is where it’s at has been here doing The Ultimate Fighter with your team also helped you maybe get in some sessions for yourself because it’s very time consuming to coach I don’t think people realize how much time and effort really goes into the ultimate fighters yeah okay I can’t I hit the ground running you know obviously I just come from Ireland to Las Vegas it’s a track it’s the first time out into North into North America for for a minute so uh we hit the ground running though straight away we were we we put on the big gloves ice barred side by side with the guys that inspired the contestants you know I didn’t want to spider contestants just you know there’s no need for that I had I brought it brought in a good solid wrestler and he’s a good solid fighter also he’s an NCAA Champion division one uh so I’ve been spotting with him and well well in the mix of the class so I’ve been getting my walk while also monitoring the guys and then as it progressed in I watched air walk a little bit more intently and and gave them my advice and plan for matchups that they had and it’s been quite enjoyable quite enjoyable is the wrestling training partner because of the wrestling of Michael Chandler and yeah yeah there’s a man yeah he’s similar start a similar kind of style yeah it’s not it’s not nothing I’m not not a custom here it’s just my my training planner you know so you mentioned to me a couple minutes ago that this is going to be the greatest comeback yeah when you look at your career up to this point what are your thoughts how do you assess it um I’ll just keep going keep going we’re not done yet you know we’re not done yet so by the time by the time it’s done I feel I have a full circle and I’ll be where I want to be is 155 an option of course it’s an option I’ve never missed weight yeah no I know 45 pound champion 155 pound champion and I like 170 also I like 170 like 155 I like them all even like the 145 pound champion volcanovski I could you know go be a nice one at some stage oh hello do you keep a close eye on the fights when you are away of course 100 yeah what do you think about people now their huge goals are to be a champion not just a champion anymore but it’s to be a double Champion which you essentially created yeah well I’m happy with it because there was a lot of there was a little there was a lot of whinging and complaining and oh I’m not going to move up and fight another guy due to division because I’m the Champion what’s that about there you go how are we gonna how are we gonna see how the levels here if you’re not willing to do that so I’m happy that that’s kind of broke that mold that we were in for a bit where guys wouldn’t step out and step up and take risks now it’s almost a must you know you can be a champion and the champion is kill but to be a double champion in multiple weight divisions is is is currently the Pinnacle yeah you know until someone breaks you and makes it the triple the treble so is that something for sure there’s an Irish flag on that UFC belt and I’m the reason it’s there so on the new one so for sure I want to add that to my collection when you think about returning and what you’ll be able to accomplish would you like to fight more than once a year is it something that the Moon is not moon is I need I want a four three four is where is you know if you want to see if we can get to where we need to get to three or four years perfect one is madness and it’s been worn one on one year off one on one year off and then obviously with the with the leg thing it’s been a bit longer so it’s just it is what it is oh amen amen in ancient Hebrew translates to so be it in other words amen so be it God has it it’s God’s plan so I’m happy where I’m at and I’m gonna keep doing my team keep training keep getting better keep focusing on what what I can do and then sooner or later if that’s what the focus is on what you can do sooner or later you’re gonna be able to do everything so that’s kind of where I’m at right now I’m in a great spot so during this time away have you been able to sort of reflect upon some of these great rivalries you have given the sport I mean really when you think about it we have the Jose Aldo one Nate Diaz Dustin Poirier yeah and there’s been these when you when you look at these historic matchups your name comes up a lot I mean have you been able to sit back and sort of look at those fights and all the things that you’ve accomplished and you know who you’ve done it with as well there’s a few other ones lingering as well so we’ll we’ll get there we’ll we’ll get it we’ll get it to where we need to get it and I’m excited for it although being in the Hall of Fame or like a tweet or something possibly yeah yeah I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on on a former appointment I learned well I learned why did he why did he retire was he not scheduled to fight again I thought he was making us making roads towards that 125 pounds and then he went boxing and all again I don’t know whatever the reason is but uh all the respect to him a real fighter multiple division uh World title winner and Contender and been around so long all power tone which I’m all the best it’s been really cool to sort of watch that that whole relationship evolved that’s the way it should be that is the way it should be over time you know what I mean you show up to fight and you know you get my respect yeah something else that probably made you happy was the list that I saw that came out that had the highest paid athletes of all time yeah yeah yeah you’re at number 33 the only mixed martial artist somebody is an angel number as well actually yeah interesting yeah that has to be very cool to see I know that you know we’ve spoken before about how the Forbes list was a motivation for a while and yeah that that has to be uh rewarding to see I would think yeah for sure for sure it’s motivating you know Michael Jordan’s at the top spot obviously with the Jordan brand uh took him there he’s multiple billions I think three-point trees made one closing in on a billion now I think I’m at about 650 million all and I’ve made I think they yes they made that I would have to probably do my own little check it out I fancy my chances I fancy my chances of getting off that list so yeah it’s good good to see you yeah and as you said that Forbes was a goal of mine to hate that and I got that you know onwards we go we spoke about the double Champion being sort of the Pinnacle now for athletes who compete in the UFC but things like that are also a big motivation and 100 you know like what prize Fighters I fight for the prize you know it’s great to be a part of it and I’m honored and I’m proud and I love this company dearly and I think the company loves you back I certainly know the fans around the world love you and cannot wait to see your return myself included Conor we will be looking forward to that thank you Megan thank you so much [Music]