Conor McGregor used to be the single biggest draw in mixed martial arts. The guy that everyone wanted to beat. A must-see spectacle-- and so full of himself that he thought that it was a privilege for fans to see him fight.
The Notorious MMA's stance seems to have changed a bit in a matter of a few short months, however, because he's now become the one hustling around asking for fights.
Used to be Conor McGregor would tell you to "beg" to see him fight. Now he's volunteering for a different opponent every week. How things change. https://t.co/ffXDVbUkg9
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) February 10, 2019
McGregor expressed his desire to fight Anderson Silva
Anderson is one crafty, crafty Martial Artist.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 10, 2019
You only develop these methods through years of hard fought experience.
Phenomenal performance.
The crafty veteran. Big respect always.
It would be an honor!
Don't forget that he also expressed interest in take on Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, another aging fighter, following January's UFC event in Brooklyn.
Conor is famous for his cockiness and his trash talking, but at least he's taking a respectful approach with Silva. Spider has also expressed his interested in the so-called "super fight" between these two legends of the Octagon.
Anderson Silva is still interested in a fight with Conor McGregor... Do you wana see it? #UFC234
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) February 10, 2019
Watch full video: https://t.co/ngma56hjmU pic.twitter.com/lvFaw0s6sJ
So, is this respectful tone genuine, or is it just a ploy to get the fight to happen? Is Cerrone suddenly out of the picture? In any even, to think that McGregor is comfortable coming across as the guy who's hopping on Twitter begging for fights is a generally bad look for his brand, to say nothing of the chaotic brawl and suspension that followed his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov in October.
It is almost like he is fighting to stay relevant in today's UFC. Of course, Conor can fix his desperate look by beating a big name and getting back into the good graces of Dana White. But that's not exactly a slam dunk as things stand.