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UFC welterweight Rick Story. AP/Press Association Images

UFC veteran sums up the phenomenal impact being made by Conor McGregor

“What you’re doing right now is inspiring for me as a fighter to better myself.”

HE’S ONE OF the organisation’s most experienced fighters and even knows what it’s like to taste victory in an Ultimate Fighting Championship main event, but Rick Story is nevertheless being inspired by a fighter who’s a relative newcomer in comparison.

Story has tweeted Conor McGregor to express his support for the Irishman ahead of his UFC featherweight title bout against defending champion Jose Aldo at UFC 189 in Las Vegas on 11 July.

“I’m rooting for you in this fight,” Story said. “I want you to do what every fighter dreams of, get to the UFC and dominate in fashion.

“What you’re doing right now is inspiring for me as a fighter to better myself. Hard work pays off. UFC 189, get that belt!”

Story’s comments put the phenomenal impact being made by McGregor into perspective, given that the Dubliner had been fighting professionally for just over a year when the 30-year-old American first competed in the UFC in 2009.

Story is a veteran of 17 UFC bouts, in contrast to McGregor’s five. But McGregor is clearly leaving a significant impression on even the most experienced UFC athletes.

Story, who defeated McGregor’s SBG team-mate Gunnar Nelson back in October, was due to return to action this weekend against Erick Silva in Florida, but the bout was cancelled last week when his Brazilian opponent encountered visa issues.

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    Mute michael murphy
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    Oct 21st 2013, 3:34 PM

    They have been ordered by managent to focus on their remaining games eh..management really cracking the whip there! the games that clearly do not mean a whole lot to them. I think this series is beginning to lose its appeal to the public. Obviously being treated as end of season party by the aussies.shame really, it used to be really good.

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    Mute neeneee
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    Oct 21st 2013, 5:31 PM

    It’s just a free holiday for the Aussies

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    Mute Karl Waters
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    Oct 21st 2013, 5:59 PM

    Nonsense. Lions players got into a spot in a night club in New Zealand but I don’t see anyone saying scrap that series. Same with the Irish soccer team on numerous occasions. Should we disband them too? They’re young lads with a week until their next game, it happens in every sport.

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    Mute oneeyedman
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    Oct 21st 2013, 7:33 PM

    Yea it’s not like the British lions were facing an Australian team that were no good ……..equally pointless jolly but more money in it and the hype from $ky is swallowed whole by the egg chasing brigade

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    Mute jason bourne
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    Oct 21st 2013, 3:35 PM

    Time to knock these test series on the head. No genuine interest in the games and they usually turn into a farce. When players like gooch and Cluxton want nothing to do with it I think it’s indicative of the whole series.

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    Mute Karl Waters
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    Oct 21st 2013, 5:53 PM

    I don’t know where this anti scrap the series sentiment is coming from. For many of the players it’s a privilege to wear the Irish shirt, especially those from the smaller counties. Also, looking at the match on Saturday Breffni Park looked pretty much at capacity. So it still appeals to many of the public.

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    Mute elambra
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    Oct 21st 2013, 3:55 PM

    Ahh the ‘knock it on the head’ bandwagon appears… give it a chance lads, just because some people don’t like it doesn’t mean you have to copy what they’re saying. If you don’t like it, then don’t read the article, you obviously have no interest in it. I have no interest in Association Football, but I don’t go on and comment about how the players are little diving pansies.

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    Mute Adrian de Cleir
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    Oct 21st 2013, 7:21 PM

    Hoy, I see what you did there!

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    Mute Bluemist
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    Oct 21st 2013, 3:34 PM

    Who cares

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    Mute John O'Neill
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    Oct 21st 2013, 5:27 PM

    I hear they were celebrating their applications for Irish citizenship coming through…

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    Mute Ben Gunn
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    Oct 21st 2013, 6:08 PM

    Shock horror….the boys on tour go out for a drink. What ever next….chatting up the local talent? What is the world coming to.

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    Mute con daly
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    Oct 21st 2013, 4:22 PM

    It’s a joke,it’s a free end of season piss up for the ozzies.
    A lot of the irish players are still in club champo, and games are been
    Moved around to suit everybody.

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    Mute Johnnyi Harlyknewya
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    Oct 21st 2013, 3:57 PM

    The only way interest will be generated is if it turns into a brawl with a ball… It should be just AFL no mix.

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    Mute Can't Be Stopped
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    Oct 21st 2013, 3:36 PM

    Must be a quiet day for the journo’s if this is what they call sports news!!

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    Mute Chris Tobin
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    Oct 21st 2013, 4:31 PM

    At least the poor indigenous aussies were’nt slumming it in dromoland castle ! They behaved in limerick tho !

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    Mute Hippocrateeth
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    Oct 21st 2013, 4:24 PM

    “Complaints of noise disturbance by the Australian players”?

    Does this not mean the Australian players were the ones complaining about the noise disturbance?

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    Mute angela gaffney
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    Oct 21st 2013, 6:43 PM

    Welcome to Ireland no fun allowed

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Oct 21st 2013, 5:05 PM

    Their at the Inn at Dromoland not Dromoland Castle or at least that is were their bus is parked up. None of them about when I was in the gym. Their heads must still be sore!!

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    Mute Ronan Mc Namara
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    Oct 21st 2013, 11:27 PM
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