YOU CAN argue that Conor McGregor is in the downslide of his career as a fighter – but you can’t deny he is still the biggest MMA star on the planet.
The latest evidence of that came when The Notorious attended an ice hockey game between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden.
@TheNotoriousMMAHe shared this photo from his VIP seat from the home side’s 5-3 win[/caption]
@The NotoriousThe former two-weight UFC champ was mobbed for autographs and selfies as he is everywhere[/caption]
Fan footage captured the moment he was shown on the big screen which prompted a pop that The Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin would have been proud of.
The WWE-ness of it all was added to by the arena director immediately blaring ‘Hypnotize’ by The Notorious B.I.G. all around the famed arena.
It’s of course one of two songs from the rap legend that are by now synonymous with McGregor – who took his moniker from the 1990s superstar and native of The Big Apple.
The 34-year-old of course revelled in being made the centre of attention during a break in play as he shadowboxed performatively for the crowd before striking a pose.
Leaving aside bluster like this, we’ll find out once and for all if he is still the world-class fighter he once was later this year when he returns to the octagon.
There, he’ll face the dangerous Michael Chandler.
However, despite the explosive wrestler seeming to pose a pretty serious threat, McGregor is already looking past him judging by his latest interview.
He told Barstool Sports: “What do I hope for in this world? I hope for 100 fights. I hope for 100 more fights.”
He admitted he’s been irked by his lack of consistency, which was very much not the case during the early stages of his career.
He said: “I’m working for consistency. I’ve been having this on, off, on, off nonsense for too long, via fight politics, via injuries, via just life. It does happen.”
Although his stints on the sidelines have been frustrating, McGregor doesn’t lament his time out.
He continued: “It’s God’s plan. It’s all God, so I accept and understand it.
“But I’m excited and hopeful that I can get a nice consecutive run of bouts.”