Conor McGregor and his team are on top of the world after his first round knockout win over Dustin Poirier in Las Vegas last night. But that didn't stop McGregor's many fans and his coach John Kavanagh from firing back at some gentle chiding from Sunday Business Post columnist and freelance journalist Ewan MacKenna and rather more seriously; from posting his phone number online.
The tweets to kick it off:
"An entire country is standing on its feet right now". It's 04.17 in Ireland right now so reckon that's untrue for many reasons. #McGregor.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 28, 2014
Can Conor McGregor fight the Undertaker and the winner gets Shawn Michaels and the Ultimate Warrior in a three-way steel cage match?
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 28, 2014
Fairly harmless stuff, though understandable that fans of the sport would resent the reference to WWE, Kavanagh responded:
.@EwanMacKenna name an accomplished critic? Remember this, when you retire nobody will remember you. Even with that hair. Good night.
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) September 28, 2014
@John_Kavanagh @MMAinRVA I'd hope my wife will. Now care to debate the point or are you an NFL/CFB/MMA fan. I'm not, and am accomplished.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 28, 2014
@EwanMacKenna ask 28-1 pro boxer @Pajpunisher about his power. You dont exactly look "sporty" so apologies if I ignore your expert opinion.
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) September 28, 2014
Kavanagh then posted an email sent from MacKenna requesting an interview with McGregor from 18 months ago. MacKenna's phone number was left on the tweet.
@EwanMacKenna one must show class in order to be treated with class #JesusLovesKnockouts
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) September 28, 2014
@John_Kavanagh Are you kidding me John. You want public, don't move goalposts and deny reality. Don't want row but don't lie, so here goes.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 28, 2014
@John_Kavanagh 1/3 I did that piece with Conor and like and respect the guy. And it was a bloody good piece I got very wrong. I man up and
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 28, 2014
@John_Kavanagh 2/3 admit I was off. Ibelieve his talent and brain is remarkable but UFC turned him into a loudmouth and far better sports
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 28, 2014
@John_Kavanagh 3/3 people (so far) have done far more but a simplistic audience was transfixed on his bullshit. Just fight and win. #Talent
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 28, 2014
@John_Kavanagh I've absolutely no idea what that means but whatever it does for you John. I wish you the best, you are clearly more...
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 28, 2014
@John_Kavanagh talented at what you do than I'll ever be at my game and thrilled for you, just try not be a dickhead along the way.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) September 28, 2014
MacKenna did do an interview with McGregor on April 20th 2013 which can be read here.