Conor McGregor: It feels like there's an American football in my suit

Former champ champ Conor McGregor lost to Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 257 on Saturday night. McGregor landed his signature straight left repeatedly, and Poirier conceded at the post-fight conference that he was rocked. But “The Diamond” was simultaneously putting money in the bank, landing calf kick after calf kick.

It turns out Cecil “leg kicks certainly don’t finish fights” Peoples was wrong. McGregor hobbled out on crutches to the post-fight press conference, and talked about it.

It’s heartbreaking, said McGregor. It’s hard to take. The highest highs and the lowest lows in this game.”

My leg is completely dead, and even though I felt like I was checking them, it was just sinking into the muscle in the front of the leg, and it was badly compromised, he said. It’s like an American football in my suit at the minute. It is what it is. Dustin fought a hell of a fight.

McGregor won Round 1, and felt he was doing well, right up until he felt he wasn’t.

I thought I done well, he said. I got up, turned him. I felt alright with him in the clinch, I felt like I was better than him in the clinch. But too little, too late. The leg was compromised, and I didn’t adjust. Fair play to Dustin.

I was going to tough ‘er out. I toughed it out as much as I could. It was an unusual one. I felt like I lifted my leg up multiple times, but it just sunk into the muscle at the front, and it was badly compromised. And then Dustin had good, solid defense, as well. So when I was pressing forward with the shots, he was defending well. He fought a hell of a fight, and I’m happy for him.

It was a phenomenal performance from Dustin. I don’t know what to say. I’m going to go back, chill out, watch the full fight and get a better grasp on it. But the leg was compromised, and I was rushing the shots a little bit. And I didn’t adjust. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. I don’t even know whether I’m that upset. I don’t know what to say.

In a post-fight statement on his social network, McGregor was positive.

“Thanks for the support everyone! Was not my night/morning in there but a great contest to improve on,” he wrote. “I’m excited at the blockbuster trilogy I now have on my hands. Dustin is a hell of a competitor and I look forward to going again. Elevating the leg and the spirit on my way home! God bless us all, happy Sunday.”

What do you think UG? Is “my leg is completely dead … football” a new “I broke my back, spinal”? Does McGregor show a pattern of drowning in deep waters? Looking forward to the trilogy, as both McGregor and Poirier appear to be? And are you looking forward to the trilogy, as both McGregor and Poirier appear to be?