Conor McGregor says Stephen A. Smith might have had some aspects of his UFC 246 post-fight right, but missed the overarching theme of UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s criticism.
Last Saturday night, after McGregor defeated Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds, Smith hit a television spot alongside Rogan in which he questioned Cerrone’s heart, as well as disregarded the fight as being able to offer us new information as to where McGregor currently lies after his lay-off.
Rogan subsequently went on his podcast to tell Josh Thomson that, while he understands Smith has a certain shtick, we should avoid bringing people into mixed martial arts who find time to blast the fighters like they would athletes of other sports being that MMA is so dangerous for those involved.
Earlier today, Smith took to social media and responded to Rogan’s critique, telling the commentator he was “just wrong” and that Cerrone had “folded like a cheap tent.”
Now, the man who made Cerrone unable to continue has stepped in to offer his own thoughts. McGregor responded to Smith’s rebuttal, telling him that while the idea McGregor hadn’t shown enough inside 40 seconds might be correct, there still needs to be a softer tone with fighters who put it all on the line.
The call you discuss here is A+. I didn’t show enough. I’m not paid by the hour though. Joe’s comments however, come from you saying the opposition fighter quit. Broken nose/orbital bone say different. Fighting is vicious. Those who make the walk deserve full respect!
Apologise.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 26, 2020
“The call you discuss here is A+. I didn’t show enough,” McGregor wrote. “I’m not paid by the hour though. Joe’s comments however, come from you saying the opposition fighter quit. Broken nose/orbital bone say different. Fighting is vicious. Those who make the walk deserve full respect! Apologise.”
Update: Smith has, once again, responded with a number of tweets.
“Sir, mich respect to the great @TheNotoriousMMA,” Smith wrote. “My recollection on what I said is “That’s the way it looked.” Cowboy Cerrone is a perennial top-10 fighter. Much respect to him for the lengthy career he has had. Wishing him nothing but the best. But I don’t think it’s unfair to say that more than 40-seconds was expected from as tough of an SOB as he is,
@TheNotoriousMMA. Nor do I think it’s wrong to assume that there’s no way that’s 40-second fight would take place w/ you vs Nurmegamedov or Masvidal.
“We expected more than what we got. Props to YOU for that. But to know how tough Cowboy is, lots of fans like myself expected more and I don’t think @joerogan is right to question my knowledge about a fight just because I wasn’t satisfied with what I saw. I said what I said and I meant it. It’s possible to do that and still have tremendous respect for you
@TheNotoriousMMA, along with @joerogan. Both of you are fantastic for the @UFC. I wouldn’t enjoy it nearly as much without the both of you. I wish you both prosperity in the future. But we clearly disagree about Cowboy’s performance on Jan. 18.”
