THE UFC HAVE made no secret of the fact that they’ve got great expectations when it comes to Conor McGregor.
But comments from UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, which appeared in USA Today this morning, indicate just how highly ‘The Notorious’ is rated by the promotion.
Fertitta seldom opens up to the media, but he obviously makes exceptions when asked about the 26-year-old Dubliner, who headlines this weekend’s UFC Fight Night 59 event against Dennis Siver at the TD Garden in Boston.
“I hate even saying this, but with his gift of gab and his athletic ability and fighting ability, it’s almost like the Irish Muhammad Ali in a way,” Fertitta said.
“To compare anybody to Ali is kind of stupid because of all the other great things that were associated with him from a social movement and everything else. But Conor has just got that sparkle, that thing to him.
“Wherever he goes — whether we put him on TV, whether he’s doing an interview, whether he’s around a group of people — he just is the center of attention.
“He’s got that special quality, and for a guy that’s fought in the UFC four times to have the interest of GQ Magazine, Men’s Health, ESPN? He’s got it.”
Sure, in reality McGregor may have a long way to go before replicating the achievements of one of the greatest athletes of all-time, but how many King Crisps adverts has Muhammad Ali starred in?
Originally published at 16.55
