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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 09: Conor McGregor poses during a ceremonial weigh in for UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 09: Conor McGregor poses during a ceremonial weigh in for UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Conor McGregor knocked out Donald Cerrone in 0:40 seconds at UFC 246 in 2020. However, it wasn’t enough to convince Stephen A. Smith that he was back, to compete at the highest level. Joe Rogan and other MMA experts opposed the ESPN analyst’s comments. Even The Notorious chimed in the discussion and noted a thing or two of his own.
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Conor McGregor took a break from the Octagon after losing the biggest fight in MMA history – Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor (UFC 229, October 6, 2018). When he returned in 2020, he went up a division (170 lbs) and fought a recognizable name, Donald Cerrone.
McGregor poured on an early flourish that the veteran fight could never recover from. Consequently, he got his hand raised in just 40 seconds.
Read More – 5 Times Conor McGregor Made Controversies With Trash Talk to His Opponents
Stephen A. Smith made some comments about McGregor’s performances that didn’t sit well with veteran MMA analyst Joe Rogan. Thus, Rogan addressed the ESPN analyst’s comments.
A. Smith returned with a response of his own on Twitter and tagged Joe Rogan with a caption, “You are wrong on the one.”
The call you discuss here is A+. I didn’t show enough. I’m not paid by the hour though. Joe’s comments however, come from you saying the opposition fighter quit. Broken nose/orbital bone say different. Fighting is vicious. Those who make the walk deserve full respect!
Apologise.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 26, 2020
Conor McGregor somewhat agreed with A. Smith but asserted, “I didn’t show enough. I’m not paid by the hour though. Joe’s comments however, come from you saying the opposition fighter quit. Broken nose/orbital bone say different. Fighting is vicious. Those who make the walk deserve full respect! Apologise.”
Sir, mich respect to the great @TheNotoriousMMA. My recollection on what I said is “That’s the way it looked.” Cowboy Cerrone is a perennial top-10 fighter. Much respect to him for the lengthy career he has had. Wishing him nothing but the best. But I don’t think it’s unfair to..
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 26, 2020
say that more than 40-seconds was expected from as tough of an SOB as he is, @TheNotoriousMMA. Nor do I think it’s wrong to assume that there’s no way that’s 40-second fight would take place w/ you vs Nurmegamedov or Masvidal. We expected more than what we got. Props to YOU for..
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 26, 2020
that. But to know how tough Cowboy is, lots of fans like myself expected more and I don’t think @joerogan is right to question my knowledge about a fight just because I wasn’t satisfied with what I saw. I said what I said and I meant it. It’s possible to do that and still have…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 26, 2020
Tremendous respect for you @TheNotoriousMMA, along with @joerogan. Both of you are fantastic for the @UFC. I wouldn’t enjoy it nearly as much without the both of you. I wish you both prosperity in the future. But we clearly disagree about Cowboy’s performance on Jan.18.#RESPECT
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 26, 2020
Smith responded to McGregor with multiple tweets to express his opinion and showed respect for The Notorious and Joe Rogan.
What did Joe Rogan say about Conor McGregor and Stephen A. Smith?
The longtime UFC color commentator who was on the call for Conor McGregor’s return fight was nothing but impressed with McGregor’s performance. The JRE host praised McGregor while he targeted Stephen A. Smith for lessening Cowboy‘s career.

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PASADENA, CA – APRIL 17: Comedian Joe Rogan performs during his appearance at The Ice House Comedy Club on April 17, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images)
“There’s no positive in downplaying the career of Donald Cerrone,” Rogan said after Stephen A. Smith’s comments.
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Also, Rogan hailed the Irishman’s performance and said, “What that showed to me is how phenomenal Conor performed.”
And after the NBA analyst made a video to go after Rogan, the former Fear Factor host said, “I was upset at Stephen A. Smith and he made a video responding to me.”
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WATCH THIS STORY – In pictures: Conor McGregor Celebrates His 34th Birthday in Ibiza With a Lavish Bash
What do you make of Conor McGregor’s response to Stephen A. Smith’s tweet to Joe Rogan? Share your views in the comments.
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