Conor McGregor has claimed he deserves credit for the "football punt" kick Michael Chandler used to knock out Tony Ferguson at UFC 274.
McGregor provided social media commentary during the event in Phoenix which included the clash between lightweight rivals Chandler and Ferguson. Chandler scored a brutal second-round KO victory when a brutal front kick to the face sent Ferguson to the canvas.
The Irishman has now claimed he introduced the kick to the promotion, tweeting: “I was the first to start football punt kicks to the face of standing opponents. This is my debut. I call it the “over the bar” kick. There you, go clear as day. Anderson textbook karate technique. McGregor big punt of a football, f**k I tote a 44, richer than quarterbacks.”
McGregor first attached an image of himself using the kick during his UFC debut against Marcus Brimage in which he recorded a first-round stoppage with a barrage of heavy punches. He then posted an image of Anderson Silva's famous front kick KO on Vitor Belfort in 2011.
Chandler's powerful kick left rival Ferguson requiring hospital treatment but the American has since been released after medical check-ups. Chandler opted to call out McGregor for the latest time after his win, proposing a fight at 170lbs. "I'm ready to come back," he said in his post-fight interview. "The main event; there is not one MMA fan who doesn't want to see me rematch you Charles or rematch you Justin Gaethje.
"If the UFC have a momentary lapse and give the title shot to someone else, I've got one dude on my mind. Conor McGregor, I am the most entertaining lightweight on the planet. I want you at your baddest and I want you at your best; you and me at 170lb."
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McGregor quickly issued a response to the proposal, and tweeted after the fight: "A firework spectacle. I like the 170 shout also. Tipped him over. I’m definitely game to fight this guy at some stage in my career. I see it happening after tonight. Congratulations on a solid win Michael and another barnstormer."
However he was less complimentary to Ferguson after his defeat, comparing his squashed face to a McDonald's chicken nugget. During his social media crusade which coincided with the event, McGregor also hit out at Justin Gaethje and praised Charles Oliveira after the Brazilian's victory in the main event.
The former double-champion was less confident in accepting any meeting with Oliveira due to his weight gain. "I’m not sure I wish to cut the weight," he said. "I am really enjoying being built like a refrigerator. I feel I want to fight at this size just to watch it back lol. But I’d love to fight the Brazilian, 100 per cent!"
