McGregor vows to behead dos Anjos, calls him ‘bum version’ of Aldo
Conor McGregor (left) and Rafael dos Anjos. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Conor McGregor has both the ring and even mic skills to rile up an opponent, and during the presser for UFC 197 the UFC featherweight champion used the latter.
As per Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports, McGregor’s word game was on target and the Irishman had UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the crosshairs.
McGregor said dos Anjos was “a bum version of [Jose] Aldo” then he promised he would decapitate dos Anjos come their title fight night.
READ: Dos Anjos unimpressed with McGregor’s belts in Ireland ‘amateur shows’
“On March 5, I will behead Rafael dos Anjos,” McGregor said, as per Iole. “I will drag his head through the streets of Rio de Janeiro to a parade of people, I’d imagine. It will become a national holiday also, I would imagine.”
McGregor’s taunting got the better of dos Anjos and the Brazilian’s neck veins became visible due to anger, said the report.
Even dos Anjos’ religion became another opportunity for McGregor.
READ: Dos Anjos happy to welcome McGregor in ‘brutal way’ at lightweight
“I’m just a single tool in Jesus’ hand,” dos Anjos said. “On March 5, he will see what a single tool in Jesus’ hand can do with him.”
To which McGregor responded, “me and Jesus are cool.”
“I’m cool with all the gods,” McGregor said. “Gods recognize gods.”
Iole pointed than an outraged opponent works to the advantage of McGregor who nailed Aldo with a one-punch knockout after the former featherweight champion got so pissed off at the Irishman he immediately lunged opening his guard.
READ: White open to idea of McGregor as UFC two-division champ
Dos Anjos won the lightweight belt after beating Anthony Pettis in March with a strong takedown game but, as Iole said, an incensed fighter would instead look to engage his opponent in a striking match, something McGregor excels at.
McGregor intensified his verbal attack of dos Anjos by reminding his opponent of his move from Brazil to the United States.
“I’ll send him back home to California, his home,” McGregor said after dos Anjos promised to send the Irishman “back home” to Ireland. “I swear to god, UFC [194], I fought Jose Aldo. I KO’d the country of Brazil’s true champion. Seeing how he handles himself, how his team handle themselves, they never learn the language of the oppressor. He never came to America. He trusted in his people, unlike this guy standing across from me.”
READ: UFC lightweights warn McGregor: You’re going to get hurt
“That’s why the people of Brazil love Jose Aldo. That’s why when Jose Aldo steps off a plane, the country of Brazil greets him, regardless of result. We’re sending Rafael on a four-day media run throughout Brazil, and we’ve got to book him a hotel. I’ve got to book him a hotel in his own home country. That should tell you all you need to know.”
