Brendan Schaub and Frankie Edgar praised Conor McGregor for changing the game in a way unlike anyone else in history.
Former UFC two-division champion McGregor was one of the first true global superstars from the mixed martial arts world to break into the mainstream. His insane performances and brash persona turned him into one of the most influential fighters of all time in MMA. After capturing the lightweight gold in Nov. 2016, McGregor has only competed four times, out of which he dropped three with a sole win coming over Donald Cerrone.
Brendan Schaub & Frankie Edgar talk about how Conor McGregor changed the game
In a recent episode of Food Truck Diaries, Schaub hosted Edgar and talked about the impact of Conor McGregor on the sport.
“I think who changed the game, Conor McGregor,” said Schaub. “He just changed the game. A lot of fighters were like, ‘oh that’s how you get rich and famous and get to the top and make all this money.’ So then they became this like not authentic watered down version of Conor. It was like, that’s not you, in your nature to talk all that sh*t.”
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Edgar highlighted what made McGregor different
While many have tried to follow in the footsteps of the Irish icon by embracing a trash-talking persona, no one has replicated his success. According to Edgar, it’s the difference in performances that separates McGregor, who backed up his word by knocking fighters out, from the rest.
“So many fake Conors, it’s crazy,” Edgar said. “He’s good. He was starching dudes when he was doing all that too. That’s the difference.”
Schaub: “He’s the green elephant in the circus. When all of us were grey, he was the green elephant. He would talk but the number one thing that a lot of these kids are forgetting is Conor was starching dudes like the Chad Mendes fight, Jose Aldo, the fight against Eddie Alvarez. I think he’s one of the best I’ve ever seen at any weight class.
“His fight against Eddie Alvarez at 155 pounds was insane. But then guys get in there talking sh*t and it’s like, ‘you just won by a decision bro.’ Conor did that and starched Jose Aldo in 13 seconds. You don’t understand, he put in the other side of it and this came along with it.”
Conor McGregor is not currently in the USADA drug testing pool and will need to remain in it for at least six months before he’s eligible to get back inside the cage. He has hinted at a potential return in the second quarter of 2023.
