'McGregor Forever' maker recalls witnessing the mask-off version of Conor McGregor at UFC 264
The maker of 'McGregor Forever' has recalled what it was like to witness Conor McGregor's mask-off version at UFC 264.
The Netflix docuseries that was released earlier this month showcased McGregor's journey from the build-up to his fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov to his most recent loss against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
Speaking about McGregor's persona and watching different build-ups to his fights, Gotham Chopra claimed that the Irishman's attitude isn't just an act. Chopra recalled an incident after a press conference in the build-up to his trilogy against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, where he was in a room with 'The Notorious'. He said in an interview to UFC:
"I'm stuck in this room with Conor and one other person, and he's just pacing in circles, just stalking like a lion. I'm like, ‘This isn't an act. This is him, and he needs him in this moment and him in that.’ That was the persona he took on for that fight, and it was real."
While further suggesting that he felt like he was stuck in a cage with a tiger, Gotham Chopra said:
"I don't know if it was personal, really, but it's what he just sort of figured out he needed to be like in this fight, and he becomes that person. It’s pretty fascinating. I was like like, ‘Holy s**t. I literally feel like I'm stuck in a cage with a tiger. I'm not going to make this guy mad.’"
Conor McGregor wasn't happy with the lack of creative control in 'McGregor Forever'
During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on Matchroom Boxing's YouTube channel, Conor McGregor shared his thoughts on the release of his Netflix docuseries. Interestingly, 'The Notorious' does not seem to be entirely impressed with it.
Conor McGregor mentioned that he loved the story overall, but wasn't happy about not having creative control over his docuseries. He said:
"I was watching the documentary the other night...I didn't have creative control of it, I'm the creator so I wasn't necessarily happy. I love the story, I wouldn't change it but I would add my magic and the fact that my adding of the magic was kind of torn away when it was not supposed to be. I felt a bit led into it to be honest. I'm happy with how it went, it is what it is and onwards we go, that's another one."
Catch McGregor's comments below (4:20):