So strong was the narrative surrounding Conor McGregor’s recent occupation of New York that one could be forgiven for pegging him as a pioneer.

Even here in his homeland a lot of us have little idea how respected he is.

No apologies. No need, apparently. And for those watching on, no matter.

New location, same old Conor McGregor. The self-anointed king of combat sports hit New York City last night with all of the trademark ferocity and farce we have come to expect, turning the final pre-fight press conference for UFC 205 into an off-Broadway pantomime.

After a fractious five months ended with Conor McGregor resiliently reclaiming his position as the biggest draw in combat sports, the Dubliner might be pitched right back into a fresh battle of wills with his UFC employers.

Conor McGregor stared out through his oversized glasses and even through the still blurred vision of the most brutally punishing night of his life, things looked a whole lot rosier. The unnecessary spectacles — Chief Brody meets Deirdre Barlow — are apparently a fashion statement. Who are we to argue with what’s trending?

Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal had him pride of place in their sports section, a stirring image spread across five columns of the topless Irishman screaming to his adoring masses.

Primetime news broadcasts busily squawked about the smoke clearing over Las Vegas as Wednesday turned to Thursday, writes Joe Callaghan.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Chaos erupted at the MGM Grand last night as a pre-fight press conference ahead of Conor McGregor’s UFC 202 rematch with Nate Diaz descended first into farce and then threatened to descend into a full-on riot.

Conor McGregor has vowed to go into his rematch against Nate Diaz with “ruthless intention” as he bids to avenge his UFC 198 defeat on Saturday night.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Conor McGregor has taken to Twitter to claim his rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 200 was back on — but the UFC has denied this.

Conor McGregor has claimed that his fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 200 is back on.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

In the past 48 hours, Irish featherweight UFC champion Conor McGregor has dramatically announced and then rescinded his retirement. He had been scheduled to face Nate Diaz for the second time at UFC 200, although that match is now in doubt.

Promoters Matchroom plan to stage the first defence of Anthony Joshua’s reign as IBF heavyweight champion at Wembley Stadium on July 9 — the same night Tyson Fury is scheduled to fight Wladimir Klitschko.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

THE wounded gazelle had one hell of a spring in his step. Nate Diaz had bounded on to the stage at the post-fight press conference as Saturday turned to Sunday in Vegas.

Conor McGregor has reacted to Jose Aldo's scathing tweet posted just minutes after this morning's defeat to Nate Diaz at UFC 196.

Jean-Baptiste Seckler is from France, a country that until September had never hosted a commissioned mixed martial arts event. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has yet to brought bring its all-swinging, all-dancing, seemingly all-conquering circus to French shores.

Conor McGregor was last night accused of taking steroids as his stand-in opponent for next week’s showdown in Las Vegas took on the UFC’s leading trash talker at his own game.