Not all that long ago, Conor McGregor was public enemy No. 1 in Brazil for his pre-fight trash talk and subsequent 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo at UFC 194.
McGregor was never a villain the level of say, Colby Covington, however, and the Irish superstar has designs on competing in the South American country before his career is through. Watching UFC Fight Night 144 in Fortaleza, Brazil on Saturday, which featured spectacular victories for both Aldo and Marlon Moraes, only served to enhance that desire.
“What an amazing atmosphere at UFC Brazil tonight,” McGregor wrote on Twitter. “I would LOVE to compete there for all the passionate Brazilian fans at some stage of my career. I was so close to securing a bout in Rio last year. It was essentially a done deal. Maybe next time. Ui Vai Morrer!! I’m still here.”
What an amazing atmosphere at UFC Brazil tonight.
I would LOVE to compete there for all the passionate Brazilian fans at some stage of my career.
I was so close to securing a bout in Rio last year. It was essentially a done deal.
Maybe next time.
Ui Vai Morrer!!!! I’m still here.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 3, 2019
The fight McGregor is referencing was a proposed clash against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 224 this past May. However, legal issues stemming from his infamous bus attack at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., prior to UFC 223 nixed those plans. McGregor will be eligible to return to the Octagon in April after serving a six-month suspension for his involvement in a post-fight brawl following UFC 229.