UFC star Ronda Rousey has thanked Conor McGregor for stepping up and fighting at UFC 205 in New York when the company needed a big star in the landmark event.
MMA had been banned in the state for years and the promotion promised a stacked card to give New York a huge night of fights when the sport was finally legalised.
Rousey hadn't fought since being knocked-out by Holly Holm in November 2015 and there was some pressure on her to return at Madison Square Garden.
Instead, she opted to fight at the end of the year in Las Vegas at UFC 207 in order to give herself more time to prepare for her comeback.
McGregor had previously fought at the end of August against Nate Diaz and took a fairly quick turnaround to headline the New York card.
Originally sceptical about fighting again so soon after his war with Diaz, McGregor's coach persuaded him to take the super-fight with then lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez.
#FearTheReturn #dec30 #ufc207 #rouseyvsnunes pic via @ewillphoto
A photo posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on
Speaking to ESPN's Magazine, Rousey said: "Conor gave me the chance to rest, he took the weight off my shoulders, and I'm grateful.
”I will never put my body at risk for money and views ever again. What makes me happy is winning and being the best in the world and that's it," she added.
Rousey is due to fight Amanda Nunes for the women's bantamweight title in the main event at UFC 207 on 30th December.
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