Conor McGregor reveals the significance of hugging his Mam after brutally knocking out Mendes

Margaret McGregor played a pivotal role in her son reaching UFC stardom.

https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/624091896202145792 After scoring a phenomenal knockout victory to win the UFC interim featherweight belt, Conor McGregor hugged his mother in the centre of the Octagon. As the Notorious explained to Donald McRae of the Guardian, this was an unusual sight directly after one of his fights.

"She had never been inside the Octagon and my coach, John Kavanagh, made sure she was there."

McGregor admitted that it was his mother that got him to reconnect with the SBG head coach after he briefly turned his back on MMA as a young man. The Dubliner revealed that he night Kavanagh came to his house to get him to come back to the gym, he made a promise to his mother.

"Many years ago my mother rang John when I was drifting. John came to the house and got me back on track. That night he told my mother: ‘When Conor wins the world title I will bring you inside the Octagon’. That promise was fulfilled."

The Notorious added that he is looking forward to returning to his family and sounded his appreciation for his parents, in particular.

"My mother has done so much for me. I can’t even put into words how much I love her. I miss her and my father dearly. I cannot wait to go home and have some good nights and good meals with them."

He conceded that his lifestyle as a professional fighter is hard on his parents, and even opened up a bit about the frustrating nature of doing media work between fights, when all he desires is to be with his family.

“It’s hard for them when I go in the cage. They endure their own emotional struggles. It’s a very intense experience – the purest form of adrenaline and excitement. I’m addicted to it. There is so much else in this game – so much business, so much media, so much work."

However, McGregor confessed that all of his obligations outside the fight are vital to his career. He admitted that it is a sacrifice he must make.

“But when I make that walk, and when my feet touch the Octagon floor, it takes everything away. To be completely in that moment is like nothing else on earth. I wish I could just show up and get that feeling – and then be with my people. But you have to do all the other stuff.”

Hat-tip to the Guardian