03 February 2023 , 17:02
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Liam Neeson has hit out at Conor McGregor in an unexpected rant as he thinks the UFC star gives Ireland "a bad name".
McGregor is one of the most famous sportsmen to emerge from Ireland in the 21st century, with the former two-weight UFC champion earning over 70 million followers on social media platforms. 'Notorious' has been caught up in several controversies over the years and many fans feel he often crosses a line with his pre-fight trash talk.
Neeson is not a fan of McGregor and the UFC in general as he thinks fighters would be better off hitting each other with beer bottles. "That little leprechaun Conor McGregor, he gives Ireland a bad name," Neeson told Men's Health. "I know he’s fit, and I admire him for that, but I can’t take it. UFC, I can’t stand [it]. That to me is like a bar fight. I know the practitioners are like, 'no, you’re wrong. The months of training we do'. Why don’t you just grab a beer bottle and hit the other guy over the head?"
It's unclear if McGregor and Neeson have any form of relationship, but the UFC star once warned people not to f*** with Neeson in a 2015 interview before he fought Jose Aldo. "Don't ever f*** with Liam Neeson. Motherf***er will come get you and your whole family, f*** you all up," McGregor told TMZ in reference to Neeson's appearances in the film series Taken.
Neeson will seemingly not be interested in McGregor's UFC comeback story, as he is set to make his return later this year after breaking his leg in a July 2021 defeat by Dustin Poirier. 'Notorious' was also recently offered a role on the UFC's reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter, which he appeared on as a coach in 2015.
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What are your thoughts on Liam Neeson hitting out at Conor McGregor? Let us know in the comments section below.
Liam Neeson thinks Conor McGregor gives Ireland a "bad name" (Getty Images)McGregor revealed the news on Instagram when he shared a picture of himself on the show just weeks after his win against Chad Mendes, writing: "This is a snap from the original ultimate fighter house. Where I coached vs Urijah Faber. This photo was just before the show though.
"It was right before I won my first world title beating Urijah's teammate Chad Mendes around. I then went on to coach the famous fight show straight after the fight. I have just been offered to coach this role again. I like it. It is full immersion which is needed. I see fighters lining up. I know what is ahead I been ready motherf******s."