2020 has been a tough year for millions of people all around the world. People have lost their lives, their loved ones, and livelihoods due to the coronavirus pandemic. The disease has radically changed the way we go on about our day-to-day lives, and the world is still finding ways to escape the horrible situation that faces us today. But despite the troubling times, many – including UFC megastar Conor McGregor – believe there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Optimism About 2021
In a rather candid interview with Parimatch (as transcribed by MMA Fighting), McGregor shed light on a lot of issues that really matter, including the COVID-19 situation, life’s ups and downs, and facing adversity with courage. ‘The Notorious’ said that while 2020 was a challenging year for people all around the world, he is optimistic for a much better 2021.
“You know I’m saying, you know there are challenges, of course, every year, every day, every second, there are always challenges,” McGregor said. “But for me I an optimist true and true, and although there are lots of things going on around the world, there is a lot of opportunity. There are lots of opportunities to adapt to evolve in something else. All businesses are forced to adapt and evolve and that is only good. Any time, even if you’re forced to look at yourself in the mirror and your own practices and how ways of how you’re carrying yourself and you’re forced to assess that and make growth through that, that is only a positive.
“So I look at this year as an opportunistic year. There are a lot of things moving and shaking and you best believe through this situation we are faced with, you will see some amazing things take place. I just look at it with an opportunistic mindset and I’m very optimistic that good things will happen from it.”
Facing Adversity With Courage
McGregor is no stranger to adversity and challenges. The Irish superstar has faced adversity both in and out of the Octagon, and believes that while a tumultuous year like 2020 can take a toll on anyone, you must never give up.
“That’s always happened to me. Anytime something bad has happened to me, or anytime I’ve been faced with something that forces me to look at myself or look at the surroundings, it’s always worked out for the better,” McGregor said. “You’ve got to go through the storm to get to the sun, as they say. So that for me is the way I’m looking at this year.”
The 32-year-old from Dublin advised people to look within and go back to doing the basics to tackle the challenges at hand.
“Rather than looking out all the time at the doom and the gloom that’s all around us at times – sometimes it feels like it’s so overwhelming – look within. Look within yourself,” McGregor emphasised. “What are the – what feel like minor things but are actually the major things – what are the minor things that you can do in your own self that can make you better? Are you eating correct, are you exercising correct, are you resting correct? Back to the basics, back to the foundation, back to the core. Handle these things and the outlook will begin to appear so much better. It has to begin within.”
According to several reports, McGregor vs Dustin Poirier is almost a done deal for UFC 257 on January 23rd. The former two division UFC champion last fought in January of this year, when he only needed 40 seconds to dispatch ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246.
Can Conor McGregor kick-start his 2021 with a win over Dustin Poirier?
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