Around this time two years ago, Conor McGregor boxed Floyd Mayweather Jr and earned himself north of $50 million for what was objectively a huge mismatch, but advertised otherwise.
Last Thursday, McGregor spoke for 41 minutes with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani in what was advertised as a must-see interview — a major get for the industry’s most recognizable and award-winning access journalist — but was essentially an extended PR session to repair the Irishman’s steadily crumbling image.
Listeners got to hear McGregor go on at length about his regretful punching of a bar patron, his intentions to compete in the Octagon again, a laundry list of fantasy matchmaking, and a host of other subjects to give MMA media outlets (Bloody Elbow included) content for days for readers to click on.