Latest news with #TheSchmo
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Conor McGregor responds to fire at pub with 'rocket-launcher' claim
Conor McGregor's Forge pub was ablaze on Friday morning but the UFC star - who is on holiday on his yacht - has taken to social media to reassure patrons Conor McGregor insists a rocket-launcher wouldn't stop his pub opening after a fire broke out at the Dublin venue. The Forge pub was surrounded by black smoke as flames licked the venue on Friday morning as the emergency services raced to the boozer. But McGregor, who is holidaying with his family, took to social media to play down the incident. "The pub is open for business today, folks," he said. "You wouldn't get through with a rocket-launcher. There's not a bother on her, she's spotless. Up The Forge." McGregor went on to demand a can of his Irish stout from his fiancee Dee Devlin before cracking it open on his boat and raising a toast. "The breakfast of champions, ladies and gentlemen," he added, before deleting his post. McGregor's pub, which was targeted with petrol bombs in 2022, is a popular spot for celebrities with rapper 50 Cent among recent visitors. McGregor himself often attends the pub and poses for photos with fans. But the Irishman has been engulfed in controversy recently after being pictures kissing a mystery woman in Florida. Photos were also published of the pair having dinner before McGregor was reunited with his fiancee as they sailed in Sardinia. Former two-weight world champion McGregor has not fought since he broke his leg in the first round of his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021. His only win since 2016 came five years ago when he obliterated Donald Cerrone inside 40 seconds. The Dubliner was due to return to the cage last summer when he was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler but McGregor pulled out two weeks before the fight with a broken toe and the bout was never rescheduled. It could finally take place next summer as part of US President Donald Trump's ambitious plan to host a UFC event in the grounds of The White House. McGregor claims he has returned to the UFC's drug-testing pool and plans to fight again. "They're testing me. I'm in the pool. I thought that's what the pools were for, jumping in and out, but I'm back in the pool," he told The Schmo. "So get ready and stay ready because damage will be done. Oval office. White House card."
Express Tribune
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Conor McGregor next fight confirmed? The Notorious confirms he's joined UFC anti-doping pool for UFC White House
Conor McGregor is signalling his intentions to make a UFC return after a four-year hiatus. The former two-division champion, who last fought in 2021, has announced he is back in the UFC's anti-doping program to prepare for a potential appearance on a historic fight card at the White House in 2026. In an interview with The Schmo following a BKFC press conference in Florida, McGregor confirmed his re-entry into the program, stating, "They're testing me. I'm in the pool. I thought that's what the pools were for, jumping in and out, but I'm back in the pool. So get ready and stay ready because damage will be done. Oval office. White House card." The event, planned to coincide with the America 250 celebrations, was proposed by President Donald Trump, who expressed interest in hosting a UFC card at the White House. UFC president Dana White later confirmed that discussions for the event were already underway, with fighters lining up to participate. McGregor's return to the anti-doping program comes after a series of setbacks in recent years. After suffering a severe leg injury in 2021, McGregor temporarily withdrew from the UFC's drug testing pool. He re-entered the program in 2023 while preparing for a bout against Michael Chandler, a fight that was later cancelled due to a broken pinky toe. Though McGregor has been tested multiple times in 2024, UFC anti-doping records indicate he has not undergone testing in 2025. This gap suggests he may have once again opted out of the program earlier this year. However, with the White House card not scheduled until at least July 2026, McGregor has ample time to comply with the necessary six months of drug testing required for a return to competition. While McGregor's participation in the event is far from guaranteed, his latest announcement adds fuel to the speculation surrounding his UFC comeback. Fans now await further developments on whether McGregor will indeed fight on this landmark card.
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Amanda Nunes 'not impressed' with Kayla Harrison, says she was meant to beat Julianna Peña
Amanda Nunes isn't ready to give Kayla Harrison full credit for her UFC title win. Harrison (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) submitted Julianna Peña by Round 2 kimura to claim the bantamweight title in the UFC 316 co-main event last month. Nunes, who was in attendance for the fight, faced off with Harrison to set up the highly anticipated matchup between the former teammates. Nunes (23-5 MMA, 16-2 UFC) hung up her gloves on top as UFC bantamweight and featherweight champion in June 2023. She explained why she decided to come out of retirement to face Harrison. "I just want to fight again," Nunes told The Schmo. "I decided to come back for something that I really enjoy to be in. Honestly, that's why I left for two years because I don't want to be burned out. I got the rest that I need and everything. Why not come back?" Despite Harrison's dominant performance, Nunes says the massive favorite didn't do anything surprising. "I'm not impressed," Nunes said of Harrison. "I think she did what she's supposed to do. She saw she could beat Julianna, she saw the arm, and then she got the arm, and she beat Julianna. So I'm happy for her."
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michael Chandler: Paddy Pimblett 'good pretty much everywhere,' could become UFC champion
Michael Chandler doesn't rule out Paddy Pimblett's chances of claiming the UFC lightweight title. Pimblett (22-4 MMA, 7-0 UFC) edged one step closer to title contention when he scored a dominant third-round finish of former title challenger Chandler at UFC 314 in April. Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) thinks Pimblett could go on to become UFC champion, even though he doesn't see his overall skillset as elite. "Definitely, possibly," Chandler told The Schmo. "I mean, I think he's better than a lot of us gave him credit for. Being in there with him, I wouldn't say that he's got this crazy amount of skills or this crazy amount of power. He's crazy good in any direction, but he's not excellent anywhere, but he's good pretty much everywhere. "He's got a long body, he uses that range, he uses his kicks really well. Whether it was me having a bad night or him having a great night, or that is just who he is, it was tough to kind of get the distance, and by the time I got the distance, took the knee, and then that's fighting for you. You know, we go out there, we lay it on the line, and sometimes bad things happen." As for what's next for him, Chandler is looking to take some time off after suffering his third-straight loss. "We'll see," Chandler said. "I'm enjoying the summer right now, nothing is scheduled. No names on the table, no dates on the table. I told them don't call me until at least the fall, and obviously we're in contact on some other business stuff and some other promotional stuff, but as far as actually stepping back in the octagon, probably not until the end of the year, if not the first of next year."
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alex Pereira: 'I've definitely fought tougher opponents' than UFC champ Magomed Ankalaev
Alex Pereira insists Magomed Ankalaev wasn't the sternest test of his career. After three light heavyweight title defenses against Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree, Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) lost his belt to Ankalaev by unanimous decision at UFC 313 in March. There have been talks of a potential title-fight rematch, with Pereira allegedly turning down Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) for UFC 317 on Saturday. Ankalaev threatened to move on, but "Poatan" thinks he's spoiled fans with his activity during his title run. "Right now, took some time to recover my body, to heal," Pereira told The Schmo through an interpreter. "I'm going to Brazil right now, keep healing a little bit, spend some time with my family. We are in talks with the UFC, we're gearing up. Let's see. Maybe something around October." After the fight, Pereira revealed that he entered compromised. "I've definitely fought tougher opponents," Pereira said of Ankalaev. "The situation itself on that day, the circumstances, made him a hard opponent, but I've definitely fought people way harder than him." Although he got outstruck by Ankalaev, Pereira defended all 12 of his takedown attempts. "I'm definitely hungry, but it was a fight that many thought that I won," Pereira said. "Honestly in my mind, I see myself as still the champ because the way that people treat me, the way they look at me."
