Fans have reacted with deep concern about an interview conducted by UFC legend Conor McGregor promoting his new movie.
The 35-year-old McGregor has a part in a remake of the 1989 Patrick Swayze classic Road House, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.
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The duo has been busy promoting the movie and it’s an interview the pair did with Sports Illustrated that has set off the worries about the Irishman.
You can read below what McGregor said in parts of the interview, when he repeated himself and appeared to stick to a couple of rehearsed comments.
But of far greater concern were the mannerisms you can see in the clip above, constantly shrugging his shoulders, stuttering, blinking repeatedly and at times struggling to get his words out.
McGregor was asked about Gyllenhaal’s ability to show realism as a fighter in the movie, to which he replied: “Jake’s a consummate professional, 75 movies made, you know, I’m blessed to have entered into the movie alongside him.
“He was patient with me, he gave me guidance, and I just took it, you know.
“We had a good rapport on set, he has 75 movies made, I have 75 barfights made, and that’s was it, we had some good back and forth.”
Gyllenhaal seemed totally unperturbed by McGregor’s state, laughing and joking with the UFC veteran, recalling how he had to tell the Irishman not to take the fight scenes too seriously.
“Sometimes I had to remind him,” Gyllenhaal said.
“I landed one punch and he hit me with a door,” McGregor replied. “Other than that, it was absolutely perfect.
“Amazing stunt team. They were phenomenal with us, they gave us free rein, and we’ve done a good job.”
The interviewer also asked McGregor about any difficulties he experienced with the fight scenes.
“For me, what was hard was, it was time-consuming, 18 hours on set, very little rest, it was strange to me,” he managed to get out.
“But the fight scenes, I was happy to give my input, my all, and Jake, as I said, is a consummate professional.
“We’ve done a good job.”
The outpouring was intense on social media after fans saw the video featuring the fighter, who holds a 22-6 record and is a former two-division UFC champion, but hasn’t fought since 2021.
“This is very sad to see,” was one comment. “Always wished the best for Conor for the years of entertainment he gave us.”
“This is legitimately sad, hope he gets the help he needs,” wrote another.
“We will probably never see Conor in a fight again,” added another.
“That was disturbing to watch,” wrote a fourth.
McGregor has been out of action since July 2021, when he broke his leg in round one against Dustin Poirier, losing his second straight fight to the American.
After years out of the sport and among a number of mooted fights that never materialised, McGregor finally announced on January 1 this year he will make his UFC return on June 29 against Michael Chandler.
Holding a glass of red wine, McGregor said: “Ladies and gentlemen, a happy New Year to you all.
“I’d like to announce the return date for myself, ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor, for the greatest comeback of all time will take place in Las Vegas for International Fight week on June the 29th.
“Come a little closer … and the opponent is Michael Chandler. And the weight, Mr Chandler, 185 pounds (84kg).”
But the fight is still to be officially ratified by the UFC.
UFC boss Dana White said this week that once McGregor has finished promoting Road House, they can start working on booking his return to the Octagon.
Source Agencies
