The rivalry between UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor and former sparring partner Paulie Malignaggi is reaching epic levels.
McGregor says that Malignaggi was the victim of a lot of head trauma during their sparring sessions.
“He was looking for an exit,” McGregor said at his media workout. “The spars were not good for him. He took a lot of head trauma. Straight after it we were worried. The sparring partners were actually telling us when he was dropped back at the home that he was stumbling out of the car after the 12-rounder. He was flattened against the ropes; multiple times the ropes kept him on his feet. We were worried about him. We thought the worst was about to happen. He was certainly badly concussed. And then he just got out of there and went running.”
Malignaggi wound up leaving the McGregor camp after photos of him being knocked down by McGregor surfaced online.
Despite what Malignaggi has claimed in the past, the Irishman says he got whooped during their sparring sessions.
“He showed (up), he tried his best, it didn’t go his way,” McGregor said. “He got his ass whooped, he got his pride dented, and then he wanted a way out. What better way for a guy like him to exit under a load of questions. He was flattened. What can I say? He got his ass whooped. But I like the guy. He’s kind of like a lovable mouthpiece.”
Conor McGregor versus Floyd Mayweather takes place on Saturday, August 26 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
