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Conor McGregor has always been one of the most explosive personalities in all of combat sports. He feeds off a crowd reaction like no other, which has led to some of the most thrilling faceoffs in UFC history.
With the trilogy fight between McGregor and Poirier now only days away, it is the perfect time to look back at some of McGregor's most explosive weigh-in faceoffs. Whilst McGregor and Poirier were relatively cordial in their January rematch, their rivalry seems to have amped once again.
Fans can expect heated exchanges both in and outside the octagon between the two men. To give a reminder of some of the pre-fight encounters McGregor has been involved in in the past, will we go over five of Conor McGregor's most explosive UFC weigh-in faceoffs.
#5 Conor McGregor vs. Marcus Brimage
This was the fight that, for many fight fans, served as an introduction to the 'Notorious' Conor McGregor. The Irishman already had an established following in Europe off the back of a successful run for regional promotion Cage Warriors, where he had secured the featherweight and lightweight titles.
However, fans in America were still only just hearing whispers about the explosive striker who was as dangerous with his words as he was with his fists. Those whispers grew louder exponetially after McGregor was matched up with Marcus Brimage at UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs Latifi.
The fight itself was a dominant display from McGregor but the weigh-in faceoffs served as an early indication of the psychological warfare the Irishman would become so known for later in his career.
Brimage attempted to put his own spin on the faceoff by wearing a Dragonball Z-inspired visor. However, Conor McGregor did not need a prop as he got right into Brimage's face, shoving the American back and leaving him thoroughly intimidated.
#4 Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 2
Either of Conor McGregor's faceoffs with Nate Diaz could easily have made this list, but the rematch between the two men just edges the first. McGregor was coming off his first loss in the UFC after being submitted by Diaz at UFC 196, and the rematch was instantly booked.
Thus the stakes had arguably never been higher for McGregor, and he returned with something to prove. When McGregor faced-off with Diaz for the second time, he could be heard shouting "Let's go." This prompted Diaz to take a swing at the Irishman, although Dana White was able to keep them separate.
The crowd reaction was nothing short of incredible, as the two men traded insults whilst being held back by police officers. The fight itself lived up to the hype, with a five-round war ensuing and McGregor's arm being raised at the end. The trilogy fight will always be an option and would no doubt be yet another phenomenal spectacle.
#3 Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 1
Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier's first fight, which took place in 2014, was the first true rivalry that McGregor started within the UFC. Poirier had become incensed by McGregor's pre-fight comments, and that anger spilled through into the faceoffs.
Dana White had to physically hold both men apart so that they did not end up starting a physical altercation before the fight officially began. Poirier was clearly furious with McGregor, to the point where it was no longer just pre-fight trash talk.
However, this is simply one of Conor McGregor's tools to rattle his opponents before they even enter the octagon. When the two men did face off, McGregor finished the fight in the first round, knocking Poirier out with heavy hammer fists.
Poirier has since gotten a win back and it remains to be seen how the rubber match will play out.
#2 Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
The only faceoff on this list that Conor McGregor was not able to follow through with in the octagon. The bad blood between McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov was real, with McGregor insulting both Khabib's family and religion. The fact that Nurmagomedov reacted so little during the pre-fight press conference and interviews seemed to anger McGregor more and more.
This boiled over to the weigh-ins when the two men were faced against one another. Khabib took a fighting stance as is typical, but did not engage with McGregor in any way other than to lock eyes with him. McGregor, on the other hand, was chomping at the bit to get at Khabib.
When Dana White allowed him within touching distance, McGregor slapped Khabib's hands down, screaming all manner of insults at him. It later became clear that Khabib had been holding in huge amounts of anger as he submitted McGregor and engaged in a post-fight brawl with the Irishman's team.
#1 Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo
The build-up to Conor McGregor's first UFC title shot truly cemented his status as an international celebrity. McGregor and the then-featherweight champion Jose Aldo went on an international press tour, with McGregor constantly hounding Aldo the whole time.
However, Aldo somewhat flipped the script when the two men faced off at the ceremonial weigh-ins. The Brazilian adopted McGregor's traditionally wide karate stance and put his hand in McGregor's face as the two men closed in.
This of course incensed McGregor, who attempted to front kick Aldo twice. The crowd bounced off the onstage conflict, with the whole stadium screaming its approval for the violence to come. When the fight did happen, it was over in a matter of moments, with the actual face-off possibly lasting longer than Aldo did before Conor McGregor left him face down in the octagon.
