23 statements Conor McGregor made about Floyd Mayweather leading up to the big fight

Even before the Mayweather-McGregor match finalized, both Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather consistently traded insults with one another through the media. Both fighters played a huge role in orchestrating this media circus that surrounds them.

McGregor, who is the current UFC Lightweight champion, always told people that he can beat Mayweather, who has an astounding 49-0 record in the boxing ring.

Last November, McGregor sounded confident in his abilities, saying Mayweather is afraid of a real fight:

“Tell Floyd and Showtime, I’m coming. … I want $100 million cash to fight him under boxing rules because he’s afraid of a real fight.”

Then, according to TMZ in December, McGregor said he would go into a fight with Mayweather and knock him out:

“I would not go in there just to show up, I’d go in there to knock [Floyd] out. That’s it. He can be hit, he’s been hit before. Age waits for no man.”

“I’ve got the reach, I’ve got the youth, I’ve got the confidence, I’ve got the unpredictable style. You can’t prepare for a style like me. A guy said to me ‘why conquer one world when you can conquer two’ so I’m going to go conquer two worlds. At the end of the day, it’s another day for me.”

“My fist is bigger than his head, seriously. I know every single shot he’s been hit with. I know every single shot he’s been hurt with. I know southpaws have caused him a hell of a lot of trouble. I know everything. Trust me, I don’t care what rule set it’s under. Most people don’t know (expletive) about fighting. I’m going to teach him about true fighting and that’s it. I land one anywhere on the dome, he’s going to know about it.”

Via FoxSports

“Trust me, I’m going to stop Floyd,” McGregor proclaimed. “You’re all going to eat your words. The whole world is going to eat their words. We’re getting close don’t worry about it. You’ll hear about it. I am boxing!”

“Look me in the eyes; 28 years of age. Confident as a mother [expletive]. Long, rangy, dangerous with every hand.”

Via FoxSports

After the fight was set in June, both fighters were preparing to partake in a world tour to further promote the bout. But before the tour began, McGregor blasted Mayweather about his taxes, saying Mayweather “should have paid his taxes and stayed retired.“

“I don’t give a f*ck what he did,” McGregor said while shopping in Beverly Hills. “I don’t give a f*ck. I don’t care what he done. He should’ve stayed retired. He’s f*cked now. That’s the god’s honest truth. He should have paid his taxes and stayed retire. And kept my name out of his f*cking mouth.”

During the Mayweather-McGregor July press conference at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Mayweather kept chanting, “Hard Work!” Then, McGregor went off:

“Well point to the f***ing easy work then. Aw, y’all already know. Y’all already know I ain’t, y’all already know I ain’t b****in’ man. I don’t back down for no-motherf***ing-body. You line ‘em up and I knock ‘em down like bowling pins. In August 26, I’m a’knock this b**** out too.”

Moments later, Mayweather started shadow boxing onstage, and McGregor said this:

“Dance for me, boy. Dance for me, son, dance for me”

“I just want to speak to all the boxing p***ies, all the little p***ies, supposed experts. You’re f***ing crazy if you think this man stands a chance. His head is too small. One shot, is all it takes me. Check the facts. I bounce heads off the canvas and dribble that s***.”

“He tip-tap-toes to a decision. He’s never even fought a day in his life. He’s a runner, he’s boxing’s biggest b****.”

“Shoutout Drizzy Drake. Started from the bottom now I’m here! [Dances].”

“Life is so f***ing good. How do I look? What the f*** is he wearing? He looks like a little breakdancer or something, a little 12-year-old breakdancer little b****. What the f***? He’s 40! You’re 40 years of age.”

“Dress your f***ing age! Carrying a school bag on stage. What are you doing with a school bag on stage? You can’t even read! 40 years old, carrying a school bag. The man doesn’t even f***ing read.”

“50 Cent’s a b****. You (Mayweather) and 50 are two fake money b**ches. He’s bankrupt and you’re about to be. It should be 50, nah. Bentley, nah. We owe out bollocks to the IRS, yah yah yah. Sing it for me beautiful, yah, yah.”

“I got Floyd a gift. This is Jay-Z’s new album, 4:44. I want you to take this and listen to it and learn. Learn how to build and maintain a real empire, not a fake empire and when you’re done with it, send it on to 50 and when you do, tell em Blanco sent ya.”

“Let’s address the race. A lot of media seem to be saying I’m against black people. That’s absolutely f***ing ridiculous. Do they not know I’m half black? Yeah, I’m half back from the belly button down.”

“And just to show that that’s squashed here’s a present for my beautiful, black, female fans (thrusts hips).”

“The coat’s polar bear. I’m a cold c***”

”I didn’t hear much of what he said. As far as what he said on the world tour, he said he would step into the octagon. If he would do that, he would have my respect. Anyone willing to step into a game like that where the limitations are so short, deserves respect.

“Whether it’s at club level in a small hall or in a big stadium. If you get into that game or any combat sport for that matter... If he wants to do that, I’ll be here to grant him his rematch. Right now we’re focused on putting him away August 26 and then we’ll see what happens after that. I also have multiple world titles to defend and contend in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. We’ll see. Maybe after he gets his ass whupped, he can try and challenge for my UFC lightweight belt.”

McGregor made those statements during his Aug. 16 conference call.

“I’m gonna f**k this boy up. Make no mistake.”

“And when it’s all said and done, you know what? I’m gonna feel a little bit sad. Because you should have all kept your mouths shut. You should have left me over on that [??] game where I’m from, what more ruthless game where we bounce heads off the canvas and drill them into the floor. You should have left me where I was. Because this man isn’t on my level. He’s not even a quarter of the man I am.”