Yahoo Sports Conor McGregor Backs Ronda Rousey in UFC Return: ‘Shut Them All Up'
Ronda Rousey is set to make her long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 207 on Dec. 30 in a women's bantamweight title fight with current champion Amanda Nunes.
While Rousey's comeback has been largely celebrated by a fan base that wondered if she would ever return from her 2015 knockout loss to Holly Holm, it's also been met with its share of criticism. Rousey is getting a title shot coming off of a loss, which has sparked some frustration from other fighters within and outside the division. Additionally, some question whether she can be the same dominant fighter she was during her run as the division's champ from early 2013 to late 2015.
ALSO READ > Is Ronda Rousey Ready for UFC Return?
One onlooker, however, hasn't questioned her at all, and has dealt with similar criticisms in recent years. UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor supports Rousey in her return and said he's looking forward to seeing the once-Tyson-like fighter regain the glory of the past and silence the haters.
“I'd tell her to go shut them all up now,” McGregor told Sports Illustrated. “Shut them all up. Go and stake your claim again.”
McGregor has largely reserved his interviews and mic time for lambasting his opponents, even going so far as to aim his talk at fighters who are way outside of his weight class. “Bums,” as McGregor has referred to other fighters, mostly get to be on the receiving end of trash-talk and rarely do we hear the 145-pound champ praise someone within the fighting world.
Rousey, clearly, is a different case.
“I wish Ronda nothing but the best. It's good to see her back,” he said. “Some people take defeat and losses a certain way. You see how some fighters take losses. I'm happy she is ready to go again and I wish her well.”
Before Rousey's return, McGregor has a fight of his own scheduled. He'll face UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in New York on Nov. 12 for the 155-pound title. The card is expected to be one of the biggest promoted by the UFC this year, if not in its history. The following month, the promotion will close out 2016 with Rousey's return, and, if it goes how McGregor is praising her, critics will be silenced.
“Go and shut these people up now,” he said. “Go and get what you began back. I'm excited to see how it unfolds.”
Follow Erik Fontanez on Twitter: @Nahmles.
