Actor Liam Neeson held nothing back in shredding former UFC fighter-turned-actor Conor McGregor in a February interview with Men’s Health.
(Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images For Chopard)(Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/Getty Images for ZFF)
In the interview, Neeson said that he “can’t stand” UFC, the sport that made McGregor a household name for his epic successes and shocking failures. “That to me is like a bar fight.
I know the practitioners are like, ‘no, you’re wrong—the months of training we do …’ Why don’t you just grab a beer bottle and hit the other guy over the head?” he told the outlet.
“That’s the next stage of the UFC. I hate it … That little leprechaun Conor McGregor, he gives Ireland a bad name. I know he’s fit, and I admire him for that. But I can’t take it.”
Tell us how you really feel, Liam.
McGregor is about to break into the acting spotlight in a reimagining of “Road House” with Jake Gyllenhaal. Photos from the set suggest that it’s by no means a small production and will demand a fair amount from the former fighter.
Despite McGregor’s reputation for being outspoken and quick to anger, he posted a cryptic response following Neeson’s commentary. “Irish proud – always.” he wrote on Twitter shortly after the interview was released.
Of course, the drama between the two Irish icons could always be a way to ramp up their popularity before they announce an upcoming creative project together.
If I was a fiction writer, director, or showrunner, I’d be demanding Neeson and McGregor for my next project, just for the guaranteed eyes on screens.