Conor Did Good.
That’s all that went through my mind as Referee Robert Byrd stepped in and called the fight in the tenth round. Conor did good. I got my reaction to the technical knockout on video, and you can see the immediate sadness set in, where I realized my guy lost and he wasn’t gonna shock the world like I hoped he would, but then I’m instantly content.
Here it is, assholes. My reaction to Floyd TKOing my boy. pic.twitter.com/YOlpYeoyRt
— Robbie Fox (@RobbieBarstool) August 27, 2017
I was happy because the ultimate underdog, someone who had his first professional boxing match last night against arguably the greatest boxer of all time, went out there with heart and represented the sport of mixed martial arts extremely well. He outperformed everyone’s expectations. Max Kellerman, one of the most respected figures in the sport, said he wouldn’t land a single punch. He landed ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN punches. Most impressive of all, he delivered us an entertaining Floyd Mayweather fight. He won the first three rounds easily, where Floyd barely threw anything, and then it became pretty abundantly clear that Mayweather had downloaded McGregor’s data and figured out what his gameplan was. From this point on, Mayweather took over and Conor gassed…BAD. Floyd was stalking him down, and in the tenth, started landing so much, so often, that McGregor just couldn’t take it. He was just about as close to out on his feet as you could get, against the ropes, and Floyd’s undefeated record extended to 50-0. I thought it was a perfect stoppage, and I’m happy it was stopped when it was. I know McGregor would’ve preferred Floyd to knock him out proper to go out like a true warrior, but the brain damage is just unnecessary at some point. I want to see him fight again in the future and Robert Byrd made sure I will.
Speaking of that, when asked about his future after the fight, he did not sound like a guy who will be stepping back into the octagon for his next fight. I’m not saying he’ll NEVER fight in the UFC again, but he mentioned that the sport of boxing was “calling” him a few times and that he was in no rush to get back. Obviously I want him back in the cage, but last night he made nine figures and showed he could go in the squared circle. Tell me Floyd was toying with him, tell me as soon as Floyd decided he wanted to win the match he did, but don’t tell me Conor didn’t take away his jab and connect.
Floyd and Conor celebrated good business together after the fight, and McGregor handled his loss exactly how he handled his loss to Nate Diaz…with complete and utter class.
Here's our full interview with @thenotoriousmma who credits Floyd and ponders what he could've done differently! https://t.co/dcg8wXb3sI
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) August 27, 2017
I had a great time last night and am so legitimately honored to be apart of this week and to have covered the fight. It was been a BLAST! I met so many cool people, whether they were members of the MMA/boxing media, Stoolies, McGregor fans, or even Mayweather fans, and I’ll never forget that for the rest of my life…but I may forget this blog because I’m so tired I’m delirious. It’s currently 5am out here and I haven’t slept yet, embarking on my third 24 hour day this week.
Rooting for Conor McGregor with all of you guys for the past few months has been one of my favorite things in the world, and I can’t wait to do it again in whatever fight he decides on next. He’s a fucking champion, and he did good last night. Real good. I couldn’t be prouder*.
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*Except if he won, then I could have been prouder.