Conor McGregor Like Rocky in Rocky III According to Dana White
Conor McGregor may have lost at UFC 257 but even when he is losing, he seems to still draw a lot of attention. Life often imitates art and when Dana White was asked his personal opinion on how the loss will affect McGregor, he responded “I think it’ll make him hungrier.” Then compared McGregor to the character of Rocky Balboa in the 1982 film, “Rocky III”.
Dana White said, “There’s two ways this goes; hungrier or ‘I’m done’”, this is when White referenced Rocky III. “ I’m a huge Rocky fan, this is like Rocky III,” White said, “When you get off a 310-foot yacht, you’re living that good life.” He added, “It’s tough to be a savage when you’re living like he lives and has the money that he has.” White reminded fans of how McGregor was before he was “Notorious”, “You know on his way up he was a young, hungry kid. He didn’t have any money and he wanted nice things. He wanted nice suits, nice cars, nice houses, he’s got everything he ever wanted.”
Spoilers ahead for those that have never seen Rocky III
In the third film of the “Rocky” franchise, Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone) has won the heavyweight title and gained money from the fame that comes with being the heavyweight champion of the world. He does a pro-wrestling exhibition, endorsement deals, and takes on some opponents that are later found out to be easy fights. All the while, an underdog challenger named Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T), hungry to be a champion, challenges Balboa to a fight, which Balboa loses. Naturally, a rematch happens that has Balboa rediscover his competitive spirit and hunger to win. In typical Hollywood fashion, Balboa avenges his loss in the rematch winning back his title.
It is no secret that Conor McGregor is financially well off. Between his whiskey business and other endeavors outside of fighting, there really is no need to get him to keep fighting, but that is not how fighters are built. While money may have changed McGregor, in martial arts losses are lessons and usually motivate martial artists to correct them. That’s what happened to Balboa in Rocky III. Does the same happen for McGregor?
