%20(720x480).jpg)
UFC superstar Conor McGregor admits that he focused too much on a boxing match with Manny Pacquiao while preparing for last month’s rematch with Dustin Poirier.
In the main event of UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi, Poirier knocked out McGregor in two rounds.
In the weeks leading up to that fight, McGregor’s team was negotiating a fight with Pacquiao for 2021.
McGregor now wants to secure a trilogy fight with Poirier and aims to place his full focus on mixed martial arts – at least for this fight.
And the Pacquiao bout is now on the shelf, at least for the moment.
“What a trilogy I now have on my hands. Exciting! With a handle on the leg kicks I will get back to having fun in there. I was in second gear cruising this fight. Best condition I’ve ever been in. After the wrestling and clinch exchanges my shots still held their pop. First time for me with this so I am very encouraged to keep going. It was the first time I did not use/nor need the stool between rounds also. I did need the stool after tho that’s for sure,” McGregor stated.
“I enjoyed racking up some more time inside the famed UFC Octagon. 40 seconds in 3 years is all I’d had up to this bout. I was savouring every second and enjoying my work. A little single disciplined in my approach and stance with mostly boxing. It’s what I get for picking this bout and opponent as a precursor to a boxing match against Pacman.
“I deserved to get the legs kicked off me going in with this thinking. This is not the game to play around with. Besides this tho my shots where sharp and I was in full control. Albeit the leg attacks were building up on me throughout the course. 18 in total thrown at me, with the final one buckling my leg fully, that was that. The peroneal nerve compromised. Fascinating! First time to experience it. Then a tremendous finishing flurry by my opponent. Hats off! A well fought fight by The Diamond. 1 a piece now with a trilogy bout for all the marbles. Not a trilogy I was expecting, nor the tactical affair I was anticipating, but I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t meant to be. This is exactly how this was always meant to be!”