🤫 The New, Calm, Reserved Conor McGregor

As Conor McGregor gets set to fight Dustin Poirier, the trash talk seems to have drifted away. [View in browser]( [FOX SPORTS INSIDER WITH MARTIN ROGERS] In today’s FOX Sports Insider: We are introduced to a calmer, more respectful side of Conor McGregor ... we take a look at Kyrie Irving’s commitment to the Brooklyn Nets ... and we celebrate Sarah Thomas, who is set to become the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl. Conor McGregor fought his way to stardom in the Ultimate Fighting Championship but that was just part of it. For he talked his way there too, his career highlight reel moments in the octagon matched by a ceaseless stream of snappy, witty and unashamedly obnoxious taunts that stopped rivals in their tracks quicker than a flurried punch combination. Yet as a new year brings a fresh challenge and a clear run at the UFC lightweight title he formerly held, there is a different sound coming from the Irishman. Ahead of his clash with Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi, the trash talk seems to have drifted away across the desert wind and been replaced by calmer, more respectful tones. “How could I not respect Dustin?” [McGregor told ESPN](. “For (his charitable works), for how he handled the last loss and came back and how he rose up and became a champion. That’s admirable in my book.” Remember, this is the same McGregor whose attempts to mentally disseminate his opponents have known no boundaries of taste or propriety in the past. Before knocking out Jose Aldo in 2015, he claimed to be “aroused” by Aldo’s fear and made reference to the color of Brazilian fighter Rafael dos Anjos wife’s underwear. Before taking on Nate Diaz at UFC 202, the pair threw cans at each other at a wild press event while turning the air blue with an endless stream of profanities. [STORY IMAGE 1] In the lead-up to his defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov, he made [racially-insensitive comments about his rival’s wife,]( while [referring to the Russian fighter’s manager Ali Abdelaziz as a “terrorist snitch.”]( And, let’s not forget, in April 2018, he flew a bunch of team members from Ireland to Brooklyn to invade a Nurmagomedov press event, which resulted in him smashing up a bus carrying UFC fighters with a steel dolly and all kinds of associated carnage. So yeah, while pre-event platitudes and shows of respect are what you hear plenty in other sports – less so in MMA – this is a major change of course. “This is the new bespoke business version of the warrior that is Conor McGregor,” Gareth A. Davies, long-standing fight correspondent for London’s Daily Telegraph and producer of two McGregor documentaries for British television, told me via telephone. “It is a change in identity. “The UFC needs him more than he needs them. He is the cash cow. He is the biggest star. He is the human embodiment of a gold-plated Las Vegas casino for the UFC, at the end of a year tougher than they could have ever imagined.” [STORY IMAGE 2] McGregor is big business for the organization, with the ultimate carrot being a rematch between him and Nurmagomedov, which would potentially break the all-time record for pay-per-view revenue. UFC president Dana White is hoping to tempt Nurmagomedov out of retirement, and is expected to be able to do so. If McGregor beats Poirier, it is almost certain that his next fight would be for the UFC lightweight belt. Meanwhile, McGregor still has the strut even with the pointed words being put aside. As fight week began, he swaggered around in multi-colored, tailored suit pants while stripped to the waist, sporting designer sunglasses and a watch valued at seven figures. He’s a little less talkative, but no less stylish. With 2020 having begun with a first round victory over Donald Cerrone, McGregor had hoped to keep fighting through the year and reclaim the title. COVID-19 put a stop on that, meaning McGregor may now have a greater sense of urgency. [STORY IMAGE 3] “Conor is 34 now,” Davies added. “His children are getting bigger. Maturity comes to us all at some point. He is still a poser, there is still the yachts and the jewelry, but he is a brilliant showman. He can get away with it because he can carry it. He has achieved a level of fame and financial security. Now he wants to tick some of the boxes of his career.” There is, admittedly, a certain danger in writing this column now, a day before the final press conference ahead of the fight, which will take place at Etihad Arena on Fight Island, the sealed-off Abu Dhabi enclave where the UFC has staged many of its most significant cards since the start of the global pandemic. As with any such occasion, there is the potential for McGregor to get just as loud as ever and to engage in some last-minute verbal fisticuffs – either in an attempt to rile up Poirier, to sell some extra pay-per-views, or both. “There is definitely mutual respect between him and Poirier, but rest assured, if Poirier was to come out and give Conor a load of (trash talk), then Conor would be on top of him,” [Owen Roddy, part of McGregor’s coaching team, told Submission Radio](. “But there is no need for it. Both fighters respect each other and they will let their hands do the talking Saturday night.” [STORY IMAGE 4] Dan Hooker, the No. 6-ranked UFC lightweight from Australia, will be on the same stage as he prepares to fight Michael Chandler in the co-main event, and has one main goal for the press briefing – stay out of McGregor’s notice. “You’ve got to be on your toes,” Hooker laughed, in an interview with MMA Junkie. “He could chuck you in the can in one line.” A new, calmer, (slightly) quieter McGregor? Apparently so. As fierce and competitive as ever inside the cage? On Saturday, we will see. [STORY IMAGE 5] Here’s what others have said ... Kevin Iole, Yahoo Sports: “The pressure on a fighter with the notoriety that McGregor has is enormous, and while there are many perks that come with it, it’s also extraordinarily difficult. Many who have walked in those shoes ahead of him longed for the days when they could walk down the street unnoticed and have dinner out with friends and family. The demands and expectations could ultimately drive him away. But he’s a young 32 in fighting terms, he’s got the resources to hire the best coaches, he has a brilliant mind for the game and he has the big-name opponents available. It’s no stretch to suggest that, despite all he’s accomplished, Conor McGregor may just be getting started and the best may be yet to come.” Brent Brookhouse, CBS Sports: “McGregor didn't get to be a superstar on personality and trash talk alone. He has true elite skills as a striker, and very few men have been able to push him into deep waters to test his cardio or take him to the mat to expose his questionable grappling skills.” Owen Roddy, Striking coach: “Who knows what’s gonna happen? But the same thing applies, in my opinion. Conor will land. It’s inevitable that he’s gonna land that shot. He’s gonna land on Poirier, and it’s just how long Poirier can take the punishment. He is very durable and he’s tough and he’s good, and he’s got a lot of tricks, and he’s got problems that we’ve addressed in the camp. But when it comes down to it, when Conor lands, it’s gonna be how long can Poirier last.” [IN OTHER WORDS] - The arrival of James Harden has given Brooklyn a true Big Three – if Kyrie Irving is committed to being a part of it. [Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated]( explains why Irving’s commitment is critical for the Nets. - While the youngest Ball brother is thriving in Charlotte, the oldest could be fizzling out in New Orleans. Can Lonzo prove he belongs? [The Ringer’s Jonathan Tjarks]( explains why time is running out for Lonzo Ball on the Pelicans. - Tom Brady has officially won his breakup with Bill Belichick. At least for now. [Yahoo Sports columnist Dan Wetzel]( has the story. [THE INTERNET IS UNDEFEATED] [THE INTERNET IS UNDEFEATED]( Big props to NFL referee Sarah Thomas, who is set to become the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl. This is a massive accomplishment, which makes it a no-brainer to highlight here in the “Internet Is Undefeated” section of the newsletter. “I’ve watched her work enough games,” FOX Sports NFL Rules Analyst Mike Pereira said of Thomas. “She’s improved dramatically. She deserves the assignment.” Well done, Sarah! [VIEWER'S GUIDE] Providence at Creighton (FS1, 7 p.m. ET) David Duke and the Providence Friars take on Denzel Mahoney and the No. 11-ranked Creighton Bluejays. Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET) Jayson Tatum leads the Boston Celtics into Philadelphia to take on Joel Embiid and the 76ers. WWE NXT (USA, 8 p.m. ET) Ciampa and Thatcher take their rivalry to the Fight Pit on WWE NXT. Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets (ESPN, 9:30 p.m. ET) Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns battle Victor Oladipo and the new-look Houston Rockets. [BET OF THE DAY] [BET OF THE DAY] Odds provided by [FOX Bet]( Northwestern at Wisconsin: UNDER 135.5 When talking about classic, grind-it-out Big Ten basketball, these two teams are at the forefront of that conversation. Despite sporting an 11-3 record, the Badgers rank 10th in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 68.7 points per contest in conference play. On the other side, Northwestern comes in at eighth in scoring, averaging just over 70 points per game. FOX Bet has the O/U in this contest set at 135.5. In other words, the winner of this game will have to score more than 68 points, a feat the Badgers haven’t reached in a 40-minute game (they scored 80 in a double-OT win against Indiana) in the year 2021. Go ahead and book the under in this contest. [WHAT THEY SAID] “I keep having vivid dreams of success. Then it’s time to sleep.” — Conor McGregor [FOLLOW FOX SPORTS] [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( Download FOX Sports App: [Fire TV]( [Roku]( [Google Play]( [App Store]( [Fire TV]( [Roku]( [App Store]( [Google Play]( Also available on these devices: [fireTV | AppleTV | ROKU | Google Chromecast | XBOX ONE | SAMSUNG Smart TV] [fireTV | AppleTV | ROKU | Google Chromecast | XBOX ONE | SAMSUNG Smart TV] Trademark & Copyright Notice: ™ and © 2021 Fox Media LLC and FOX Sports Interactive Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Please do not reply to this message. If you do not wish to receive emails like this in the future, please [unsubscribe](. FOX Sports respects your privacy. Click [here]( to view our Privacy Policy. Fox.com Business & Legal Affairs - Manager Digital Media P.O. Box 900 Beverly Hills, California 90213-0900