LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor addressed the fans in attendance directly and gave a fiery speech Wednesday at UFC 229 open workouts.
“The Notorious” predicted a knockout of Khabib Nurmagomedov on Saturday in the main event of the card at T-Mobile Arena. Nurmagomedov is defending his UFC lightweight title — the belt McGregor once held — in the massive bout.
“Devastating KO,” McGregor said Wednesday at the Park Theater. “Too easy to hit. Too flat-footed. Too predictable. I’m gonna knock him clean out.”
McGregor, the UFC’s biggest star, put on a show for fans Wednesday at the open workouts, centered around a striking demonstration with coach Owen Roddy. McGregor’s young son, Conor Jr., also took center stage before McGregor took up the mats in front of the raucous crowd.
The UFC 229 promotion will continue Thursday back at Park MGM with a press conference at 3 p.m. PT. McGregor and Nurmagomedov had their first press conference two weeks ago at Radio City Music Hall in New York. That one was not open to the public — just the media. This one will be free for fans to attend and should make for a wild atmosphere.
Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins will also be open the public. Those start at 5 p.m. PT.
To those who came out Wednesday, McGregor issued a promise for the fight Saturday.
“I’m gonna come out the gate fast,” he told interviewer Megan Olivi. “I don’t give a f*ck about anything — any wrestling, any technique, any anything. I’m coming for that man’s head from the f*cking bell. Trust me on that.”
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