There is no doubt that vintage Conor McGregor has been one of the most entertaining combat sports athletes of all time. He is currently facing criticism for missing the opening press conference ahead of his UFC 303 bour against Michael Chandler. Even Chandler was frustrated by the situation and decided to return to his hometown and leave his training camp.
But what if this chaos is a calculated move by McGregor? According to comedian Andrew Schulz, that might be exactly what McGregor is doing. He keeps posting videos and photos of himself enjoying lavish parties and similar activities.
Recently, Dana White appeared on Schulz’s ‘Flagrant’ podcast. He discussed various aspects of his role as UFC President. However, he tried to avoid talking about Conor McGregor.
When asked about McGregor’s current situation, Schulz suggested that McGregor might be playing mind games with everyone. Dana White didn’t fully agree but made an intriguing comparison. For those who remember, Muhammad Ali was also a master of psychological warfare with his opponents.
White stated: “I will tell you this and I don’t ever like to compare people to Muhammad Ali because to me he is the greatest. And I don’t mean what he did in fighting, just what he accomplished as a human. But, I don’t give a f**k what anybody says. Ali and Conor are on the same level when it comes to mental warfare. They are the two best of all time when it comes to mental warfare.”
White continued: “If you look back at Ali and you look at what he did to George Foreman in Africa. You look at what he did to Joe Frazier throughout his entire career. Joe Frazier f**ing hate Muhammad Ali so badly. He showed up in his camp outside and do all this s**t. He would predict rounds. He would come up with f**ing incredible poems and sayings and things the he would do leading up to a fight.”
McGregor’s absence from the press conference has sparked widespread speculation and debate. Some believe it’s a sign of disrespect or unprofessionalism, while others see it as a strategic move to destabilize his opponent. McGregor has a history of using psychological tactics to gain an advantage before the match even begins. His social media posts of extravagant parties and his carefree attitude could be part of a larger strategy to project confidence and unsettle Chandler.
Despite the controversies, Dana White acknowledges McGregor’s influence in the sport. He continued: “And then you look at Conor McGregor. He’s picked rounds. I mean, the mental warfare this guy had on so many of his fighters. And he would make these guys play into his game, get into their heads. F**ing embarrass them, outwit them in every way, shape or form. He is literally at Ali’s level when it came to mental warfare.”
Conor McGregor’s ability to control the narrative and influence his opponents’ mental state is a crucial part of his legacy. Whether it’s through his provocative statements, confident predictions, or the way he conducts himself outside the octagon, McGregor knows how to maintain an edge over his competitors.
