From: officialflagrant
Conor McGregor is considered one of the two best fighters of all time when it comes to mental warfare, alongside Muhammad Ali [00:00:11]. He is seen as being “at Ali’s level” in this regard [01:09:59].
Tactics and Influence
Conor McGregor has utilized various mental warfare tactics throughout his career [01:10:31]. Examples include:
- Predicting rounds [01:10:33].
- Provoking opponents to get into their heads [01:10:43].
- Embarrassing opponents [01:10:46].
These tactics have had a significant impact on his opponents. For instance, José Aldo was extremely agitated leading up to their fight [01:10:37]. His approach was also evident in the Eddie Alvarez fight leading into Madison Square Garden [01:10:51].
Public Perception and Marketing
Discussions surrounding McGregor’s public actions, such as videos of him partying, often raise questions about whether these are genuine or part of a calculated marketing strategy. For example, a video of him partying at his own bar led to speculation that it might be controlled and leaked to influence opponents like Chandler, making them believe McGregor isn’t taking the fight seriously [01:09:05], [01:09:18]. This highlights how his actions, even seemingly casual ones, can be perceived as elements of his mental warfare [01:11:03].
McGregor’s ability to sell himself and his fights, alongside other charismatic figures, is considered a “home run” for the sport [01:08:31]. He, along with others, has laid the foundation for their legacy [01:11:11].