‘How Much Money Have You Got’ – When a 16-Year-Old Conor McGregor Had Dana White’s Attention
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 20: Conor McGregor (R) and UFC president Dana White (L) speak at the UFC 229 press conference at Radio City Music Hall on September 20, 2018 in New York City. McGregor will face UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event on October 6, 2018 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Ever since Conor McGregor became the UFC’s biggest cash cow, Dana White and the Irishman has had a well-documented relationship. However, what most wouldn’t know is that the first confrontation between the two came when McGregor was merely 16-years-old. Despite being a teenager, he captured the attention of the UFC supremo.
McGregor will return to the UFC Octagon later this month when he will rematch Dustin Poirier at UFC 257. McGregor has already defeated the former interim champ back in 2014. It was in the lead-up to this fight that McGregor told ESPN about his first run-in with White.
“When I was 16 years old, I was at my first UFC event as a fan. After the event, Dana stays and takes pictures with the fans. I ran down to the railings and I seen Dana and I was like, Dana, Dana.”
“Dana, how much money do you have in your pocket right now, this second?”
In his first ESPN interview, @TheNotoriousMMA told the tale of a brief run-in with @danawhite at 16 years old. pic.twitter.com/nZtYyg75Iy
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 15, 2020
“He looked at me and I was like, ‘How much money have you got in your pocket right now this second?'”
“He looked at me with like a weird face and then just kind of walked off! So, I don’t think he liked that too much, but it was fun. I was just a little kid dreaming of the big time.”
Conor McGregor had nothing but praise for Dana White
During his first fight with Poirier, McGregor’s stock was on the rise. He defeated a slew of contenders en route to becoming the first double champion in UFC history. During this run, and even when McGregor crossed over to boxing for a fight with Floyd Mayweather, he had White’s full support. Even ‘The Notorious One’ referred to the UFC President as one of the coolest people in the business.
“He’s a cool man. Himself and Lorenzo [Fertitta], these are two of the coolest men in the game. They have changed the face of the fight industry. I am honored to be here and be part of their great promotion,” McGregor added.
He also expressed his desire to become the poster boy of the promotion, which he would after a few years. Six years after that fight with Poirier, McGregor will meet the same foe, albeit in very different circumstances. ‘The Diamond’ has sharpened his skills and, and has become one the toughest fighters on the roster.
Meanwhile, McGregor is now aiming to regain the belt that he won by defeating Eddie Alvarez. A win over Poirier would undoubtedly make him the frontrunner for the same.
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