UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor takes part in UFC 205 Open Workouts at Madison Square Garden on November 9, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/Michael Reaves)
Conor McGregor knows what it feels like to see your unbeaten run come to a halt after his then-unblemished record was stained following a defeat from Nate Diaz. That is why it is not unusual that he comes to the defense of former Ultimate Fighting Championship champ Ronda Rousey who has suffered back-to-back losses.
Upon learning that 'Rowdy' lasted just 48 seconds against UFC women's bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, the Irish mixed martial artist was stunned after seeing the reaction of people following Rousey's shocking loss, MMA Junkie reported. McGregor said that he has always supported Rousey and people celebrating her defeat has a "wrong mindset," adding that people who do those kind of things are "weak."
It can be remembered that Nunes, immediately after winning the belt at UFC 207 in December 2016, fired shots at Rousey, telling the people to forget about her and that she is overrated. People on social media also mocked Rousey who went back to the Octagon after a one-year hiatus since her first UFC loss to Holly Holm in November 2015.
McGregor said that he experienced the same criticizing and mocking when he lost to Diaz in their UFC 196 bout in March 2016. But instead of sulking, the reigning lightweight champ pulled off a majority decision win in his rematch against Diaz in August 2016 and dispatched Eddie Alvarez in the second round of their UFC 205 bout to win the lightweight belt.
In a recent turn of events, Nunes has publicly apologized to Rousey for her behavior, saying that she was "overwhelmed with adrenaline, emotion and hurt at the time," Yahoo Sports reported. She added that Rousey is "an amazing athlete" and has done so much for the women's division of the UFC.
Rousey's future is still surrounded by uncertainty as Dana White, president of the UFC, hinted that it might be over for the former women's champ. If she ever tries to fight inside the Octagon again, Rousey reportedly will be paired against Cris 'Cyborg' Justino whom she had a bad history with.
