Conor McGregor admits race jokes didn’t “hit right”

Throughout the first three stops of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor world tour, UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor was criticized for what many perceived to be racist comments.

In New York, on the third stop of the tour, Conor McGregor attempted to address the criticism, stating that what many don’t know is that he is half black – “from the belly button down”. The joke fell a bit flat with those in attendance, however McGregor then proceeded to state that he loves black women, which then led to a sexual gesture on stage.

The situation in its entirety didn’t sit right with Mayweather, who opted to take the high road, stating that he has a very multi-racial team, and that McGregor disrespected his daughter, as well as her mother with the comments:

“He totally disrespected my daughter. He disrespected the mother of my daughter. He disrespected black women, and he called black people monkeys. What I want to say is this. I’m proud to be a black man, I’m proud to be an American, and I love everybody. I have a diverse team.”

“Like I said before, you can’t do that. Conor McGregor you cannot disrespect black women. You can’t disrespect black people period.”

Following the tour’s final stop in London on Friday, McGregor spoke about the jokes he made in New York in The Mac Life: stating:

“It didn’t really hit right,” McGregor said (h/t MacLife). “I’m just gonna stay where it is and leave it out. I know who I am as a person. I think most realistic people can look and know.”

McGregor did draw a line however, explaining why he didn’t bring up Mayweather’s past domestic violence conviction, saying:

“We had fun up there as well,” McGregor said. “I didn’t need to bring certain things up. There was enough for me to have fun with. I’m not trying to put someone’s dirty business. I’m here to fight now, so fuck all that other shit.”

on 7/15/2017.