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‘They have no idea’: UFC star slams ‘ridiculous’ McGregor backlash
Updated . First published at
UFC star Dricus du Plessis has cast doubt over Conor McGregor returning again, while also taking aim at fans criticising the former champion.
McGregor ended a five-year hiatus on Sunday (AEST) but suffered a knee injury early against Max Holloway, forcing an end to the bout in just 69 seconds.
Conor McGregor reacts after his loss to Max Holloway. Ian Maule
The 38-year-old now faces an uncertain future inside the octagon, with the latest setback coming after his previous loss saw McGregor suffer a badly broken leg.
The controversial Irish megastar is adamant he will return and see out his UFC contract with one final fight, taking to social media on Tuesday (AEST).
However, according to du Plessis - who will make his own return to the cage this weekend against Kamaru Usman - it will be easier said than done.
“The question now is whether we’ll see him again and it’s always been like that with Conor ... over the past five years, everybody was saying he was definitely done, but Conor still came back,” he told nine.com.au on Tuesday.
“Taking five years away from competition at this level is detrimental and that’s why I feel so bad about what happened, because he looked locked in.
“The one thing we know in these past five years is yes, he’s been training, but he hasn’t been locked in for a very long time and that takes a toll at this level.
“You can see over the past six or eight months that Conor has been locked in, but this sport doesn’t give a shit about that poetic return or win.
“You never wish that on anyone, an injury like that. We are fighters and we want to go out on our shields and he wasn’t granted that opportunity. I feel bad for the man and I really hope that he gets what he needs, emotionally or mentally.
“It would never be easy to call it a day, especially going out like that, but it’s tough for him, especially at his age right now.
“He’s got enough money, but I always say that we don’t do this for money. Conor said in the past that he does this for money, but why would he come back? It’s because we love this, we are gladiators and this is what we live and breathe.”
Du Plessis, the former middleweight champion, then took a swipe at those kicking McGregor while he’s down and urged fans to be cautious in their criticism.
“Listen, in life there are people who do and those who talk and those haters, they don’t know what it takes, they have no idea, that’s why they comment,” he said.
“You don’t see other fighters making ridiculous comments about him.
“You can dislike Conor on a personal level and say you don’t like him, that’s fine ... but fans should keep their mouths shut on a guy like that and what he’s done.
“The guys that go and fight at this level, they just don’t realise what it takes and they don’t even understand, so they should just stick to watching.”
One fighter who did have success at UFC 329 at the weekend was Australian legend Robert Whittaker, who snapped a two-fight losing streak in his light heavyweight debut, earning a third-round TKO victory over Nikita Krylov.
Robert Whittaker connects with a vicious right hand. Paramount Plus
Du Plessis said he was impressed by his former rival’s performance, but conceded Whittaker could have his work cut out for him against some of the elite fighters in the 205-pound division, spearheaded by champion Carlos Ulberg.
“I have to be honest, I’m a big fan of Rob and I have all the respect for him, both inside and outside the octagon because he’s such a gentleman and such a great example of a person and fighter,” he said.
“He looked good this weekend, but there’s just one thing - he is very small for that weight class. I know he feels better, but there’s a difference between fighting a guy like Nikita Krylov and fighting a top-three guy at light heavyweight.
“He has that movability and can outwork people and that’s what I thought would happen, he could do enough on the feet - but if he gets taken down, it’s gonna be a problem because there are some heavy guys in that division.
“Rob is not the tallest guy, even at middleweight he was quite short. He is stocky, he’s a thick guy ... but it’s different against top guys.
“I’m really happy for him and it’s great to see a guy like Rob back winning and I wish him all the best in his run at light heavyweight, I’ll be supporting him.”
