Conor McGregor will soon have to back up all his boisterous talk as he squares off against Chad Mendes at UFC 189 this Saturday.
The featherweight title challenger has been blasting away at champion Jose Aldo first, and now at Chad Mendes, who was replaced last minute citing Aldo's rib injuries.
McGregor would be hoping to prove once again that he can predict his own fights, in fact he is so confident in his chances against Mendes that he apparently didn't want to wait until fight night to put his money where his mouth is.
During an interview Dana White gave to Jim Rome, McGregor has tried to bet millions of dollars with him and UFC co-owner and chief executive Lorenzo Fertitta on the outcome of UFC 189, according to records on FOX Sports.
"You want to know how confident this kid is.?" White asked.
"I can't even believe I'm going to say this, but, he told Lorenzo and I the other day, 'I'll bet you $3 million I knock him out in the second round.'"
White, who is well known in Las Vegas for his high-stakes gambling, wisely declined to bet a UFC fighter on the outcome of a UFC fight.
"I like to bet, I don't know if I'm that willing to take that bet," White said.
"When I tell you how extremely confident this guy is in himself, it's fascinating. He is a very unique, fascinating person to listen to. Fun to listen to, and fun to watch," White added.
According to another report from Bleacher Report, the UFC's first preference had already been on the book for months i.e. to have McGregor fight Aldo in a high-profile grudge match for the featherweight title. However, Aldo's broken ribs forced him to tap out of the fight.
Aldo was replaced by Mendes.
The UFC's best hope rests on McGregor winning this weekend. As soon as Aldo heals, they will all put together a do-over in time to repurpose some of billboards, documentary and pricey television commercial to advertise the fight.
That being said, Mendes is one of the best 145-pound fighters in the world and his only two professional losses are to Aldo, and despite the fact that odds makers are giving a slight edge to "The Celtic Tiger," Mendes is not a fall guy either.
