UFC 257 saw some firsts. Among them, Michael Chandler had a spectacular big show debut, Conor McGregor lost for the first time due to strikes, and “The Notorious” had a big fight with no real trash talk. Gilbert Burns, who challenges welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC 258 on February 13, spoke recently with Marc Raimondi for ESPN, and said he misses the trash talk.
“I do believe Conor wasn’t 100%,” said Burns. “I don’t know how was his camp, I cannot judge a lot of things going on the guy’s mind. I never wanna judge a guy as big as Conor McGregor, he has so much money, with so much things going on.”
“Conor wasn’t moving the way he’s moving, Conor wasn’t with the presence that you see that guy has. Crazy presence, the pressure, and I don’t know if that might’ve played a little bit with no mind games, being super nice. I love it, I love it, the sportsmanship, everyone being respectful but I like it. But, I like that drama show too. I like when he’s talking s***, I miss that. I miss that drama, I miss that Conor ,and I think that have helped Conor to perform and I think we missed that a little bit.”
Let’s take a look at some of McGregor’s trash talk …
“Trash talk? Smack talk? This is an American term that makes me laugh. I simply speak the truth. I’m an Irish man.”
vs. Dustin Poirier (first time)
He’s a quiet little hillbilly from the back arse of nowhere. His cousin is probably named Cletus.
vs. Dennis Siver
My thoughts on Dennis Siver is that he’s a midget German steroid-head.”
vs. Jose Aldo
“For him to say he’s the king and I’m the joker, if this was a different time I would invade his favela on horseback and kill anyone that is not fit to walk. But we are in a new time, so I’ll just whoop his ass!”
vs. Nate Diaz
I like Vegas. I’ve buried three bodies clean out here and Saturday night he’ll be a fourth body. The dirt is clean, you can scoop it up and stuff bodies in there easily so I will continue to do that.
vs. everyone
“I need to feed all you bums. I need to feed every single one of you in the game so I’ve got to keep working. Because you bums don’t work.”
vs. Dustin Poirier (last time)
“I like Dustin. I think he’s a good fighter. He’s even a great fighter. But great is still levels below me. I’ll knock Dustin out inside 60 seconds.”
UG, is Burns right,? Do you, too, even a little bit miss Conor spitting fire?
h/t Soumik Datta for Sports Keeda
