CONOR MCGREGOR has questioned his compatriot Joe Duffy’s commitment to his Irish nationality in an unprovoked outburst on his old foe.
Duffy, who will headline next month’s UFC card in Dublin, is the last man to have beaten interim UFC featherweight champion McGregor when the pair clashed in 2010.
Although born in Donegal, former professional boxer Duffy spent much of his upbringing in Wales, while he has also lived and trained in London and Montreal.
The 27-year-old is proud of his background though and is an avid GAA fan, but McGregor has labelled him a “journeyman” and believes Duffy is trying to live off his success.
McGregor said: “When I faced defeat, I put my head down, I grinded and I rose up and became a two-weight world champion in Cage Warriors and a UFC featherweight world champion. When he faced defeat he quit the sport and ran.
“He lost the Cage Warriors lightweight title, the title that I won. He quit the sport, he moved country, he changed teams. He was Welsh Joe, then he was London Joe, now he’s Canadian Joe. Then he sees my success and all of a sudden he’s Irish Joe.”
A possible re-match between the pair in the UFC division - possibly at lightweight - has been mooted for some time, with Croke Park a potential venue, but McGregor doesn’t believe Duffy has the ability to make it to his level.
He added: “I’d love to see Duffy climb that rank. Do I think he has it in him? I don’t. I think he’s a journeyman. I’d love to see him climb up and I would KO him stiff, just for the way this has all panned out. But I see him as a journeyman, I don’t see him making that climb. But we’ll see. It’ll be interesting.”
Duffy will fight Dustin Poirier in what will be his third fight since joining the UFC – the elite division of fighters in MMA – at the 3Arena in Dublin on October 24, and McGregor was warned of the American’s prowess.
Joe Duffy takes on Dustin Poirier in the main event at the 3Arena [Picture: Inpho]“This is a nice opportunity for him [Duffy] to go and get up there," said McGregor. "Let’s see how he handles Dustin. Dustin’s no slouch, Dustin comes to fight, Dustin is experienced.
“A lot of people think they can do what I do until it’s time to do what I do. It’s a completely different animal with all the media obligations, all the stress. It’s not just showing up at the gym no more. So I’m interested to see how it goes, I wish him well.
“If the opportunity presents itself I will KO him stiff.”
