Why Conor McGregor has nothing to hang his head over
Social media was full of fans celebrating Conor McGregor's loss to Nate Diaz on Saturday night.
Plenty of people were happy to have McGregor humbled and silenced after all his talk during the nonstop hype machine of the past year and a half.
And McGregor was humbled. He called it "a bitter, bitter pill to swallow," praised his opponent and didn't try to discredit Diaz's win.
He criticized his performance, saying "I was inefficient with my energy" and "It was a battle of energy and he got the better of that."
However, McGregor had nothing to hang his head over, according to Chael Sonnen.
While the former UFC title contender said McGregor quit in the face of a bigger fighter who wasn't felled by his punches, Sonnen said it was nothing to be ashamed of.
McGregor moved up 25 pounds to fight Diaz, Sonnen said on "SportsCenter" after the fight. When Rafael dos Anjos pulled out, McGregor did what a champion does: He didn't back out, he stepped up to face the next challenge.
It didn't work out, but McGregor will be back — most likely to defend his featherweight title next, the Irishman said after the fight.
Even on his lowest day, Sonnen said, "The future is very bright for Mr. McGregor."
