The UFC's Garry Cook with McGregor (left) and Brandao (right). Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
DIEGO BRANDAO, THE man who will attempt to stop Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor at Dublin’s O2 Arena on Saturday, has branded his opponent a “clown”.
The 27-year-old (22-9-0) faces ‘The Notorious’ in the headline fight at UFC Dublin in front of a sell-out crowd this weekend.
Brandao, who gained entry to the MMA’s premier circuit after winning season 14 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ reality television show in December 2011, has had to put up with McGregor’s trash-talking since he was announced as Cole Miller’s replacement back in June.
At yesterday’s pre-fight press conference in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the Brazilian featherweight said: ”You guys think he’s going to do that to me that easily.
“He could do it (win), you never know but he’s not going to do it that easy like the way he’s been talking.
This is why I call him a clown. You guys can see everything there. Everybody has a mouth, everybody can talk all they want. I’m ready for this fight, Conor.
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“It’s not going to be the Diego from before. It’s going to be the new Diego. Knock everybody out in the first round.”
McGregor and Brandao stand face-to-face yesterday. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
McGregor, who was asked about the huge amount of pressure on his shoulders, said:
“Pressure is an illusion, but I want that illusion of pressure. Heap more on! Give me more pressure so when I put this guy away and make it look easy, which I will do, people will say ‘how did he do that?’.
“(They’ll say) ‘let’s skip this guy ahead of the queue and put him straight in for a title shot’. You’re going to see a true number one contender here on Saturday night.
“This is a dream come true to be back here and putting my nation on the map. As you heard, 99% of the population are going to watch this fight. The country will shut down for this fight. We’re on terrestrial TV.
I don’t think there’s a fighter in the UFC’s history has done what I have done in the space that I have done it. And Saturday night when I go out there and put Diego away in the first round, I will prove my worth.”
The Dubliner is aiming high and has his sights set on Jose Aldo’s featherweight title — despite being currently 13th in the UFC’s division rankings.
“I seem to have a habit of predicting the future and the vision is clear that the belt will be on my waist by the end of the year,” he added.
“How if forms and happens, I’m yet to find out but let’s say the champion comes back by the end of the year, then an injury to the competitor, then I slot in… there are avenues there.
“So I don’t know what way it will happen but I have that clear picture that the belt is on my waist by the end of the year.”
'People can talk all they want' - McGregor's opponent Brandao calls him a 'clown'
DIEGO BRANDAO, THE man who will attempt to stop Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor at Dublin’s O2 Arena on Saturday, has branded his opponent a “clown”.
The 27-year-old (22-9-0) faces ‘The Notorious’ in the headline fight at UFC Dublin in front of a sell-out crowd this weekend.
Brandao, who gained entry to the MMA’s premier circuit after winning season 14 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ reality television show in December 2011, has had to put up with McGregor’s trash-talking since he was announced as Cole Miller’s replacement back in June.
At yesterday’s pre-fight press conference in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, the Brazilian featherweight said: ”You guys think he’s going to do that to me that easily.
“He could do it (win), you never know but he’s not going to do it that easy like the way he’s been talking.
“It’s not going to be the Diego from before. It’s going to be the new Diego. Knock everybody out in the first round.”
McGregor, who was asked about the huge amount of pressure on his shoulders, said:
“Pressure is an illusion, but I want that illusion of pressure. Heap more on! Give me more pressure so when I put this guy away and make it look easy, which I will do, people will say ‘how did he do that?’.
“(They’ll say) ‘let’s skip this guy ahead of the queue and put him straight in for a title shot’. You’re going to see a true number one contender here on Saturday night.
“This is a dream come true to be back here and putting my nation on the map. As you heard, 99% of the population are going to watch this fight. The country will shut down for this fight. We’re on terrestrial TV.
The Dubliner is aiming high and has his sights set on Jose Aldo’s featherweight title — despite being currently 13th in the UFC’s division rankings.
“I seem to have a habit of predicting the future and the vision is clear that the belt will be on my waist by the end of the year,” he added.
“How if forms and happens, I’m yet to find out but let’s say the champion comes back by the end of the year, then an injury to the competitor, then I slot in… there are avenues there.
“So I don’t know what way it will happen but I have that clear picture that the belt is on my waist by the end of the year.”
Watch the highlights below:
And here’s the press conference in full:
(h/t: SevereMMA)
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