Ryan: I’ve patched things up with Trump
In a teaser for an upcoming 60 Minutes interview, Ryan tells Pelley his relationship with Trump is good, and that they speak on the phone nearly every day. On whether he thought Trump would be nominated:
I didn’t see this one coming. He knows that. Donald Trump’s a very– he was a very unconventional candidate. He’s going to be an unconventional president. What I like about it, in my, like I said, almost daily conversations, is he’s just a get-things-done kinda guy.
On the separation of powers.
We’ve talked about that extensively. We’ve talked about– the Constitution, Article I on the Constitution, the separation of powers. He feels very strongly, actually, that– that, under President Obama’s watch, he stripped a lot of power away from the Constitution, away from the Legislative Branch of government. And we want to reset the balance of power, so that people and the Constitution are rightfully restored.
Meets NYT reporters, execs
In a interview with New York Times reporters and senior management, Trump says that the paper has treated him poorly.
I have great respect for The New York Times. I have tremendous respect. I think I’ve been treated very rough.
He also says he does not want to investigate Hillary Clinton:
I don’t want to hurt the Clintons, I really don’t. She went through a lot and suffered greatly in many different ways. [A prosecution] Is just not something that I feel very strongly about. I don’t think [Clinton Supporters] will be disappointed [with my presidency]. I think I will explain it that we, in many ways, will save our country.
He says he will “keep an open mind” about whether to pull the United States out of agreements on climate change. Trump also disavows his supporters in the alt-right movement, says he would have preferred to have been elected through a victory in the popular vote and reaffirms his commitment to the First Amendment. He also says he has different ideas on how to solve the Syria crisis than other people.
"Syria, we have to solve that problem," Trump says. Adds he has a "different view than everybody else."
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) November 22, 2016
Ritz backstage interview
The band are interviewed by BBC Manchester before their Ritz concert. James Ryan:
It’s been the best year for the band so far. In December last year we were playing Gorilla over the road. And that sold out, but if you had said then in a year’s time we’d be over the road at the Ritz, we wouldn’t have believed it.
Aaron Starkie:
We’re an unsigned band, so to be able to do this…and it’s just social media’s been great. James support has been great. And the fans.
What’s next:
Aaron: There’s men in suits have come up from London.
James: We’re writing, we want to do another album as well.
Talks about UFC 205, trilogy fight
Diaz talks about McGregor’s performance at UFC 205, saying the UFC is shutting him out.
It’s artificial. It’s good timing for him. They handed it right to him…It’s funny how they left me out of the picture. The fight went exactly as I expected…The UFC didn’t want to give me tickets to this fight…they wanted to keep me out the mix. I was up in in a club box. After the fight everyone turned around and is looking at me…They gave Nick Jonas my seat…Of course [I want No. 3]. I’m not begging for no fight. I don’t need to fight anyone. I don’t even need to do this interview…If they game me all that attention I would take this too…UFC knows that [Fight 3] is a bad idea…Congratulations to Conor, he did a great job, got the two belts.
MMA Live interview
Kavanagh appears on MMA Live with Helwani to talk about UFC 205. On McGregor’s baby announcement.
People always roll their eyes when I say this, but Conor is an extremely private person. Of course he has the promotion side of fights. But [try to] find pictures of him when there’s no fights going on. He doesn’t really go out. He doesn’t have a massive friend circle. Most of the time it’s just him and Dee together.
Inside The Mind Of Conor McGregor interview
McGregor is asked a series of unusual questions about his favorite words and sounds, and the celebrity he’d most like to be, his power animal, and what he would do if he could travel back in time.
I wouldn’t trade this life for anything or anyone.
Backstage interview
UFC releases an interview of Alvarez backstage at UFC 205 after his defeat by McGregor.
It was very loud in there. It was hard for me to hear my corner. I heard a couple of things but it was hard to hear and communicate with my coaches. [More than his power] it was speed…The first time I was dropped. I remember being on my butt and thinking, ‘Wow that was fast’. I’ve been there before. I pretty much get my composure and get back up. The speed and timing were very good. You can tell he’s got years of boxing behind him…It was foolish [to not wrestle]. That was not my intention going into that fight. It was stupid and I paid for it..I’ll never define myself by a win, or by a loss…[Conor’s achievement] is incredible. He did a great job. My hat’s off to him and he continues to do a great job for the sport of MMA. [After this] I’m going to go and see my wife an kids and hang out.
Post-fight interview
McGregor is interviewed by Olivi, talking about his win at UFC 205 over Alvarez.
I feel good. I said it and I did it. I knew it was going to be tough. He took some shots but kept coming. But you can’t keep taking them shots against me. I’m too precise…I knew I had hurt him and I was thinking ‘How many smacks could he take?’ I know it’s probably a rough one for him and his team…Nothing for respect for him. It doesn’t take me long Megan, one shot and you’re on a losing battle then.
What’s next:
I’m about to be a daddy early next year. I’m freaking out. I don’t know what I’m doing, but we’ll see. I’ve got all the cards now so someone has to come present something really sweet to keep me sweet, because I keep proving what I’m saying. I am the reason the company was sold for $4.2 billion, that’s not the word of a lie….I’ve got 40 big announcements in my mind. I’m about to be a daddy, so that’s a big enough announcement for now.
Open to 170:
I’m open for it. We’ll see. Let’s talk.
Post-fight interview
Alvarez is interviewed by Olivi, talking about his defeat at UFC 205 by McGregor.
[I’m] disappointed. I didn’t fight a good fight. I went in there with a plan. I didn’t stick to the plan and I paid for it. [The plan] was more to kick and wrestle…I almost got lulled into his pace and got out of my own pace. He did a good job, hats off to him.
After the first drop:
The shot he hit me with. I don’t remember it really. I just remember being on the floor…I don’t feel like he hurt me like crazy. Kind of a flash. He just boxed too much. Too much boxing.
ESPN Sportscenter interview
Alvarez and McGregor appear on ESPN Sportscenter to talk about UFC 205. On the mink coat, Alvarez:
I seen the tags hanging from it. You rented it.
McGregor:
It cost more than your show money…I’m just cosy here listening to this (sic) dribble…look at your face, you’re a bum Eddie.
Alvarez unhappy with McGregor late show
Alvarez and McGregor are interviewed by Whitlock. On McGregor being late to the conference:
This is a business. It’s important to be on time. It’s the same thing on the night of the fight. What if he goes in the cage and I sit in the back? If I sit in the back, he has no opponent. There’s no reason for him to be inside that cage.
McGregor:
I’ll chill in there. Sweet. I’ll enjoy the crowd.
McGregor’s a ‘scrawny, skinny Irishman who’s about to get a beatdown’
Alvarez is interviewed by UFC Tonight.
We’re about to do something special in about three days…this is just another day for me, and another opponent…I see a scrawny, skinny Irishman who’s about to get a beatdown…Most of Conor’s talk is self talk. It’s him trying to convince himself that he can do those things.
Eddie Alvarez: Conor McGregor is a scrawny Irishman who's about to get a beat down, pic.twitter.com/m7Fht7KVPW
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) November 10, 2016
The Exchange interview
McGregor talks with Olivi as part of UFC’s The Exchange interview series. He talks about winning his first ESPY, what it’s like being in New York and Eddie Alvarez, the Mac Life F.A.S.T. system, Drake, and his ‘Mystic Mac’ prediction:
Parts of me kind of hopes he can last, ‘cos I’m sprinting in round five. I’m literally balls to the wall in round five, and there’s fresh bodies coming in. I’m still pushing harder than anyone in the fifth and final round. Part of me want to show that to the fans, to everyone. I just don’t think he has that in him. He’s too easily hit. You can smack him from anywhere. I have everything on him, reach height, everything. I don’t see him getting out of the round. If he does I’ll take my hat off to him.
BT Sport interview
McGregor is interviewed by BT Sport. He talks about his mental attitude.
It’s a very exciting time. It motivates me. I’m in phenomenal shape, and I’m looking forward to it…They are all way, way down. I look at theses fights and realise why the game has never broke into that next level before — because nobody’s at that next level. I’m the only one at that next level. So I look forward to going out and showing that these people don’t stand a chance
On Alvarez:
He’s tough. He’s been around the block. He’s fought many times. He gets hurt badly and soldiers on. You can do nothing but respect that. But it will not be enough in there. He’s too easily hit and I’m the hit man.
On election day:
I could not give a bollocks. The whole thing is just weird to me. The public are just brainwashed. I don’t think either of those two contenders have any power.
Compares Trump to McGregor
Cerrone talks about meeting Trump at one of his rallies.
I was out hunting and Tim Kennedy called and said the Secret Service called and said ‘Trump wants to meet us, I need to clear you on a background check’, and I said ‘oh f-ck’..So we went down to the rally and got to bullshit with him…[Backstage] was crazy wild. It was cool just talking to Trump. He was talking about the UFC…It was cool to listen to his points. He’s not just like a racist bigot, y’know…I understand that’s what your aunt’s telling you when she’s drinking wine on a Saturday night, but that’s no really what’s happening. We have two options. Do we go with the indicted girl who’s full of shit, or do we go for the wild Conor McGregor Trump? For all those people out there listening – go vote!..I wish they could teach politics in school more, and gets kids more involved ‘cos it’s our generation that needs to take on things and get involved. I voted for Trump and I voted for pot. I really wanted to check out his toupee. But y’know [Trump] is trying to bring money to the middle class, which most of the guys that fight for the UFC and support the UFC. Trying to bring the tax bracket down to 15% for these guys.
This is the ‘Goldilocks McGregor’ fight
Coach Kavanagh talks about McGregor’s preparation in the lead up to UFC 205. On Alvarez’s chances:
A few knocks and bruises can absolutely be expected at the end of a tough training camp. But no injuries..Any takedown Eddie gets he’s going to have to fight tooth and nail for. And even if he does get a takedown, it’s gonna be an exhausting process. And if even if you do get [Conor] down, he’s very, very difficult to hold down. And if you are holding him down you’re gonna be eating big elbows, submission attempts. He’s gonna be talking, reminding him how tiring it’s getting. He’s a tough guy for anyone.
On the weight class:
It’s like the Goldilocks porridge — a little bit too hot, a little bit too cold, and just right…Conor can pretty much diet to 55. But getting 55 to 45, you look at his body and think, ‘Where can I get 10 pounds off?’…He’s gonna be shredded I’m sure but not gaunt. It really is the Goldilocks McGregor fight.
Roddy, Kavanagh interview
The Mac Life releases a video interview with Roddy and Kavanagh. Roddy:
At 70 kilos (155 pounds) [McGregor] is at the best weight that suits his body”, Roddy explains. “For me just working on the pads with him, he just seems a lot sharper, a lot faster. I don’t feel like he’s lost any power and he’s gained a bit of speed. This is the weight he should fight at and should have always fought at. I think we’re going to see the best Conor.
Kavanagh:
Routine, routine, routine. This was always my way. Conor is more flowy and artistic and does things as he feels is the right time to do them but he has seen the benefit of it as well. For the last few months now, I could tell you six weeks in advance what today’s session was going to be. It’s paid dividends. It did in the last fight and we’ve continued it on to this one.
‘I’m going to shut McGregor’s mouth’
Alvarez says it will be an honour to defeat McGregor.
As far as shutting his (McGregor) mouth and giving him some humility, it will be an honour. I think he did a good job getting this fight, selling the fight and promoting it. This will break every record in UFC history bar attendance…A lot of people will show up to cheer for him but a lot of people are also going to show up and enjoy watching him be defeated…I wouldn’t [rate McGregor] very highly in the grand scheme of things. Throughout my long career I’ve fought the best in the world and I don’t think he (McGregor) has. I feel like he still has proving to do if he wants to call himself one of the best. He is going to have to get through a guy like me to even be able to scratch at that. I think the fight will end inside of two rounds. Around the nine minute mark I should be able to overcome him. We will put him in some bad situations early and start getting him to doubt himself and when that happens it’s the beginning of the end.
‘I’m ready to make history’
In an interview with The Mac Life, McGregor says he is ready to ‘make history’:
The last camp was very, very different. This camp has been different as well. It’s, what, only 10 days to the fight? It’s very unusual for me to be home this close to a fight, so I’m actually enjoying it. Training’s been great. I’m very prepared, very calm. Ready to go and make history…We all went through a learning process after the first Diaz fight. In the second one we came together like a unit…Everything is a lot more scientific [now]… I’d be told what heart rate I’d have to be at for different sessions. There was many times I wanted to go more. I was like, ‘I don’t feel like I’m doing much’ but no, we had to build it up and up and up.
On Alvarez:
[The second Diaz fight] was phase one of cardio training, this is phase two. That, coupled with the weight coming down, my body mass… I’m much leaner. I’m very confident that I will put this man away. Eddie seems to think he has a cardio advantage. Let’s go into the later rounds, I’m going to sprint in round 5. I’m very, very happy.
COD interview
McGregor is interviewed about his appearance in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. He says the chance to play game bad guy Captain Bradley Fillion was something he couldn’t pass up.
This is completely outside of the fight world. I didn’t think I would get on the front cover of a UFC video game. I saw a lot of things, but I didn’t see video games. But I’m happy to be here. I get approached all the time with roles and all this stuff. Not many of them are interesting but this one was definitely of interest to me so I went with it and it’s been good…These games are grossing more than Hollywood blockbusters, so it seems like the right fit since I’m grossing more than anyone in the fight game also. The offer came about so naturally and I thought it over. It’s such a big game. I play a good load of games, but there’s only two games I actually really play that I’ve been obsessed with: The UFC game and Call of Duty. Now I’m in both of them. It’s very surreal.