Conor McGregor’s recent interview with ESPN struck an apologetic tone. Is he showing contrition for past behavior, or is he doing PR?
Responses to the Conor McGregor apology.
Frank Hyden MMATorch Columnist
It’s PR, no doubt. There might be some contrition there, but no one is going to give him the benefit of the doubt, nor should they. McGregor messed up bigtime. Hopefully he understands that, but he needs to show it with his actions. How many second chances does he need? He punched an old man in a bar, what in the world was he doing? We’re not talking about something stupid he said, he sucker-punched somebody.
At this point, if McGregor can keep from doing something stupid for three months, that’s progress. That’s how low the bar is set. There’s no way anyone can believe that McGregor is actually contrite unless he can stop doing dumb stuff for a long time. I personally doubt he can do it, as I’m sure many others do as well, but I hope he can prove us wrong.
Michael Hiscoe MMATorch Columnist
This is pure PR, and can only mean that a Conor McGregor fight announcement is imminent. I’m not going to pile on Ariel Helwani as many have, he’s just doing his job. It is important to remember though that ESPN is in the fight promotion business now. They have embedded themselves deeply in UFC’s business moreso than just as an exhibitor of UFC content. ESPN has a lot to gain by getting him in the cage and on PPV, and rehabbing his image is the first step to getting there.
Sean Covington MMATorch Contributor
Conor McGregor is ALWAYS doing PR! Is he right to do so, when you’re a mega star like he is, of course. Without Conor’s never-ending PR we wouldn’t have gotten a huge boxing/MMA crossover that seemingly no one wanted. Conor McGregor has changed the game and it has been for the worst. Now, every fighter is looking for huge paydays as if they are Conor and none of them are in his league as far as charisma.
No matter what McGregor does, he will be a media darling. He’s slapped on the wrist in every court case so why shouldn’t he slap an old man and run away? I’m fine with it because it’s what society wants, what I really hate is the disgusting double standards. So Conor, Jon Jones, Ben Askren etc., can say whatever they want but when it comes to ANYONE else…
Watch the full Conor McGregor interview:
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