Dana White Admits That UFC 229 Press Conference Was The ‘Darkest He’s Ever Been A Part Of.’
Ahead of next months hotly anticipated title fight, heated rivals former two-division champion Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov had a wild and wacky staredown at UFC 229 press conference for the first time in New York.
Agitated McGregor dropped the cruelest insult toward Khabib Nurmagomedov and promoted his newly released whiskey brand. The attacks of both rivals got deeply personal, but it was clear that McGregor was trying to get in Khabib’s head. Despite his odd behavior, Dana White still had high praise for Notorious.
UFC president Dana White who stood between fighters at staredowns and press conferences, admits UFC 229 presser between Mcgregor and Khabib was different from the rest. (Via MMAJunkie)
“It was dark man,” White told reporters during a post-press conference scrum. “It was the darkest press conference I’ve ever been a part of. But Conor McGregor is the master of mental warfare. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: He’s better than anybody. Even (Muhammed) Ali. You don’t want to say anybody’s better than Ali, but I think when it comes to the mental war game in this sport, or any other sport, Conor McGregor is the best ever.”
Irishman reminds us why he’s Mixed Martial Art’s best salesperson – of both his fights and newly released whiskey brand. Mcgregor was going to go after Khabib with a purpose and manage to land a few verbal jabs, attacking his personal life, family, and politics as well brought up the bus attack incidence.
Despite some bizarre moments at the presser, Dana White says this isn’t the first time. He believes that this kind of uniqueness sets Notorious apart from other fighters in MMA.
“Here’s the thing about McGregor, too: He’s so good at it – he studies,” White said. “He studies every little thing. He talks to people. He finds out stories inside of a guy’s camp. Look at the whole thing he did on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ with Urijah Faber, with T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt and all those guys. At one point he had Cody Garbrandt jumping up trying to fight him. He is the master. He is the best ever to do it. Nobody does it better than Conor does.”
Khabib seemed cool at the beginning, by the latter part of the question-and-shouting-over-answer session he was barking back at Conor McGregor.
White says, ‘The Eagle’s’ response was natural and inevitable.
“You’re not human if that doesn’t affect you,” White said. “It’s not possible for that not to affect you. Conor knows that. Conor came in and Conor did what Conor does. That’s why I say it: He’s the best ever. There’s never been anybody better at the mental warfare game than Conor McGregor. He’s the absolute best of all-time.”
There was no public entry at UFC 229 presser, the reason Mcgregor was unhappy and being only greeted by the media. As soon as Mcgregor started shouting and barking, things seem but uncomfortable; White reveals no doubt he made a right call about not allowing any public.
“I absolutely made the right decision on this one,” White said. “I felt it halfway though the press conference and I’m definitely feeling it now.”
