Former UFC Champion Conor McGregor Reveals His Trash-Talk Game Stems From Bruce Lee

Former UFC dual division champion Conor McGregor once revealed that legendary martial artist Bruce Lee actually inspired his persona.

When talking about the face of the fight game, the one image that quickly pops up in almost all fight fans’ minds is that of the Irishman Conor McGregor. Ever since he set foot into the UFC octagon, win or lose, McGregor has always made headlines. And the most contributing factor to that is not him being a double champion or a great fighter, but his exemplary mic skill.

This trash-talking prowess has become an extension of the Irishman, and when enquired about the love for the same, McGregor replied it is actually psychological trickery at play, that none other than Bruce Lee himself inspired.

“I look at the opponent. I look, you know. Know yourself to know others. That’s a Bruce Lee quote. If you truly know yourself, you can know others,” McGregor told Tony Robbins.

“So, I know what way I feel, I know what way that man feels. I know what I can say to push his buttons. I know what he is thinking; I know what he’s afraid of. I know his worries and I put them under the spotlight. I put them out there; I get them thinking about it.”

“I look at the opponent. I look, you know. Know yourself to know others. That’s a Bruce Lee quote. If you truly know yourself, you can know others,” McGregor told Tony Robbins.

“So, I know what way I feel, I know what way that man feels. I know what I can say to push his buttons. I know what he is thinking; I know what he’s afraid of. I know his worries and I put them under the spotlight. I put them out there; I get them thinking about it.”

“I made Jose Aldo, a undefeated champion, the first UFC featherweight champion. He was 28 years of age at the time, I made him feel like an old man.”

Georges St-Pierre believes trash-talking led to Conor McGregor becoming champion
Not only McGregor, but even UFC GOAT Georges St-Pierre believes that this trickery is what led the Irishman to defeat the toughest of opponents.

In a podcast with scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman, GSP explained how McGregor’s words psychologically maneuvered his opponent, Jose Aldo, and finally led to the downfall of the Brazilian.

“I believe another example of emotion that leads to failure is José Aldo against Conor McGregor,” St-Pierre told Fridman.

“I think it was on purpose that Conor McGregor did this. Try to bait Aldo to become over-aggressive. To open himself because he’s an excellent counter puncher. That’s what I believe… And made a mistake.”