A big part of the early days of Conor McGregor's UFC career was how he endeared himself with the UFC's ownership group. These new guys, though? He doesn't know them quite yet.
Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour (warning, NSFW language), McGregor opened up on the limited interaction he has had with UFC's new ownership group to this point.
"No, I haven't had any contact with the new owners. That's another sit-down I'll have. That'll be an interesting sit-down," he said. "I actually have spoken with the guy...the Entourage guy, [Ari] Emanuel? He came over at 200, and was like 'you think you've made a lot of money now, kid? We're gonna make you a lot more,' or something like that. And I was like 'who the f--k is that guy?'"
Since 2001, the UFC has been run by casino moguls Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, alongside Dana White. The trio were a steady presence at every UFC event for over a decade, and became some of MMA's most recognizable faces in the process. Along the way, the UFC made sure to play up their relationships with their top fighters including the likes of Chuck Liddell and Ronda Rousey, as well as McGregor.
In July, however, the company officially announced that the UFC was being sold to a new ownership group, led by prominent talent agency WME-IMG, with the Fertitta brothers both being removed from the equation and Dana White taking on a seemingly less-prominent roll with the company. That's a jarring change for both UFC fans, and UFC fighters and it's a transition that could completely change the sport.
While McGregor hasn't yet sat down face-to-face with the new owners, he praised the old crew.
"I have nothing but respect for the Fertittas and Mr. White like I've said many times," he said.
He continued on, discussing the UFC's growth to a $4 billion company: "You've just got to take your hat off, give yourself a pat on the back for what that man has done. To get that number, to build that up...the UFC is them. I was just motivated by that number."
McGregor will likely have the chance to meet the new team this Saturday at UFC 202, where he will face Nate Diaz. A win would be a great way to make a first impression.
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