Conor McGregor has heaped praise on his former UFC rival Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone after the ex-lightweight title contender was entered into the UFC Hall of Fame.
The Irishman fought Cerrone in what was supposed to be the launch of his octagon comeback in January of 2020, knocking out the legendary American within a minute after a build-up notable for its lack of heated exchanges. McGregor left his trademark trash talk at home when he faced his long-time rival, but brought the fire in the cage as he landed a quick stoppage.
And in a video package that also featured the likes of Michael Bisping, Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, McGregor was glowing in his praise of his old opponent. The video was played at last night's UFC event in San Antonio, with Cerrone in attendance to witness the tribute that was paid to him in front of a packed arena.
"He's stepped up many a time," McGregor gushed during a pre-taped interview. "He's taken short notice, he's never pulled out. He's gone through the divisions also up and down." His comments were followed by a piece showing Joe Rogan describe him as a "bonafide wild man" who is "wild in all aspects of his life."
Cerrone was surprised at the arena when his family made an appearance for the announcement that he would be inducted in the promotion's 'modern wing' of the Hall of Fame. And speaking with media after the show, he expressed his excitement at being given such an honour.
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"Words can't even express," he said. "I was talking with Megan [Olivi] earlier about how throughout my career everyone said 'future Hall of Fame-er' and it's just words that get rattled off, it's not a real thing until it's a real thing. It's crazy, I'm blown away and honoured, to be honest I don't really have words to express.
"I almost brought one of my boys with me and my wife was like 'no, we don't need to go it's okay, you just go to work it'll be fine'. Then I was texting her today and the texts were green and I was like 'why is your phone green where the f*** are you?' She didn't respond.
"I thought she was just letting me come out here and do what I want to do, then they did it and I had no clue my family was even here. That was another surprise. Wow, this is cool. Now it's sinking in to be in the Hall of Fame, it's cool. What an honour, you look across any major league sport and the Hall of Fame-ers, that's an important thing."
