It was clear watching the UFC’s ‘GO BIG’ press conference that a lot of the fighters in attendance were a little tired of Conor McGregor’s talking.
The UFC interim featherweight champion took over the conference and began doing his usual banter. Usually it’s him talking about one opponent, but this time he went ahead and called out the whole slew of fighters sitting up on the stage with him.
Then afterwards all anyone could talk about was McGregor. The UFC even released a special video showing the soundbites of Conor McGregor.
One fighter up on that stage certainly didn’t enjoy the hostile takeover. Vitor Belfort flew to Las Vegas to be there with Dan Henderson, his upcoming opponent.
He traveled all that way and was only asked one question during the entire press conference. Afterwards, Belfort took to social media to announce his displeasure:
“This is a legend fight Belfort vs. Henderson 3. We don’t need trash talk to sell tkts. I am wondering if one day MMA will be seen more like a sport and less than entertainment? It seems that we are going to the wrong way. A good example is Aldo (real athlete) and Mc Gregor (trash talker). To become an Olympic sport we have to apply the Olympic values not only the Olympic rules. Where is the RESPECT?!? I don’t want to see our kids thinking that to become a successful MMA athlete you have to talk crap instead of respecting others. Real martial arts is not about this!!! We need a good example starting from the organizations, fighters and extending to the media and fans. It is a free consulting!!! I have a voice!!!!”
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