As the build-up begins in earnest for Conor McGregor's re-match with Nate Diaz at UFC 202, the featherweight champion has been busy doing other things.
Like gracing the cover of ESPN Magazine's Body Issue 2016.
Conor McGregor is to grace the cover of the @ESPN magazine Body Issue pic.twitter.com/p6YPUgGbBk
— Newstalk Sport (@NewstalkSport) July 5, 2016
And on the set of the photoshoot the Dubliner had a couple of things to say as he spoke to ESPN's Kenny Mayne.
One point was his background, saying: "I tell you what, them Irish genes are good. They've served me well. We are made tough. We are made of steel. So I have no doubt the blood in my genes, the Irish blood in me has definitely stood me."
But he also opened up about the weight issues which he says affected his preparations for the defeat to Diaz back in March.
"My gas tank gave in. I had to take a very honest look at what I was doing with my preparation, so I have done that. I've brought in people specifically to monitor my cardiovascular. I'm doing something a little bit differently," he says, although he still feels he "slapped the head off of [Diaz] for nine minutes of that fight. Look at his face. I busted him up. With the correct tank, the correct approach, I'm going to cakewalk this next one if we can get to that point."
ESPN's Body Issue goes on sale on July 8th.
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