A calm Conor McGregor declares 'War is upon us' ahead of UFC 194
LAS VEGAS -- UFC 194 has become one of the promotion's most anticipated events in MMA history in large part because of the fever-pitch lunacy -- fueled by Conor McGregor's incessant trash talk -- surrounding it. However, the pre-event press conference for UFC 194, and indeed even McGregor himself, was a strikingly subdued affair on Wednesday.
There were no colorful descriptions of decapitating opponents, shouting or physical confrontations. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo was largely stoic, though smiled and joked a few times.
His challenger McGregor, usually a barb-tongued joker, rarely so muched as cracked a smile, nor did he address the champion directly. The Irishman explained that the reason for his tone change is an adjustment in his state of mind, as their Saturday main event nears.
"I am in a state of Zen," he said.
"The closer the fight gets . . . the face becomes blank. There is no face. It's just blank, and a fresh body type."
Before UFC 189, when McGregor was first scheduled to fight Aldo, the challenger used scorched-earth verbal tactics to raise the matchup's profile and the ire of the champion. He'd continued that antagonistic approach, leading up to their rescheduled bout, this Saturday.
Perhaps all that fuss is behind McGregor, now, on fight week. He said that the promotional tours were different moments than the one he's in now -- the eve of battle.
"Back in the world tour, it was a different time," he said.
"I acted true to myself in the moment. Now is a new time. Now, war is upon us. So, I am calm, cold, moodless, and ready to take out the body that is in front of me."
