VIDEO: Clinical Conor McGregor predicts a new world after Aldo fight

By Joe Callaghan

It will be the dawn of a new era, a new world, he said. As if to ram home this promise, all was changed utterly for Conor McGregor on Wednesday evening in Las Vegas.

Ireland's UFC megastar was nothing like his old self at the MGM Grand as he ditched the chaos for cold, calm and clinical in the final head-to-head press conference with Jose Aldo before he meets the Brazilian here on Saturday night at UFC 194.

The Dubliner has poked and prodded his illustrious rival for well over a year on the road to this unification bout that shapes to be one of the biggest ever in the rapidly growing sport. There was none of that here, though. McGregor's fighting talk was slow and steady, spiritual even.

"It will be wrapped up inside one" - @TheNotoriousMMA #UFC194 https://t.co/wpvPnDinJP

— UFC (@ufc) December 9, 2015

"I feel [this] is only as tough as you make it and I have been making them pretty easy for myself. This one will be a spectacle. A masterclass," he promised.

"It will be the changing of the guard. It will be me bringing in a new era. I am a man with something to prove. A man with something to prove is dangerous. I will be looking to make the world a different place."

McGregor only pitched up in Las Vegas this week, having spent the majority of his time preparing for this defining night back home. His delayed arrival on the Strip has been mirrored by the Irish fans seemingly with very few tricolours twirling through the MGM's rows of rolling slot machines. That contingent is expected to ramp up in the next few days but is unlikely to hit the highs of July.

In keeping with that sense of calm and quiet, the idol of the MMA's green brigade, barely raised his voice throughout an hour of questioning.

"I am in a state of zen right now. My mind is calm, composed. I am prepared and happy," McGregor added.

"This must be close to 15 press conference that I have done without fighting this man. I'm ready. Training at home does something to me. I am here in a moment of zen and I am ready for the fight of my life.

"This is a contest for that number 1 spot" - @TheNotoriousMMA #UFC194 https://t.co/qo3q4QdotP

— UFC (@ufc) December 9, 2015

"The pound-for-pound [title] is up for grabs here. Like I said, I'm a man with a point to prove.

"That's what this is, When I make that walk, I am unshackling chains off me. I simply [get in there] and do it as I feel. The closer the fight comes there is no face, my face becomes blank. Back on the world tour I acted in that moment. But now war is on us and I am calm, cold, ruthless."

McGregor on the rumor that he had spies in Aldo's camp https://t.co/pmeIf39kF0

— UFC (@ufc) December 9, 2015

It has usually been left to Aldo, undefeated in the octagon for over a decade now, to be all of those things on the global press campaign for this unification of two gifted featherweights. On Wednesday, McGregor may have been all change but the Brazilian stuck to his script.

"I don't dwell on what he says. Whatever he says doesn't get through to me. I have faith in my trainers and my team to go in there and get it done," said the 29-year-old, who also insisted he has no plans to retire after Saturday night's long-awaited collision, when many expect and other hope to see him bring the McGregor show crashing down to earth.

"Not only in Brazil but I have been hearing that [people want me to kill him] everywhere we go," he added. "If the fight stays on its feet, I'm going to finish it. If it goes to the ground, I'm going to finish it."

McGregor wasn't for stirring. He didn't rise to that or precious little of the other bait thrown his way. When questioned on new heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury's observation that McGregor had only been copying him, he was sanguine.

"There are many times in the game that you get compared to people. I've been compared to everybody, to Diaz, to Anderson [Silva], to [Muhammad] Ali. Now you're trying to compare me to Tyson Fury? He is an amusing character. I am me. I am no one but me."

A new dawn, a new leaf turned over. Even in the sartorial stakes, apparently. McGregor had ditched the three-piece suit and aviator sunglasses that he usually sports on stage, opting for a short-sleeve t-shirt and jeans. It was put to him that he was in danger of falling behind.

"I still feel, looking around the table," he said as, for effect, he slowly surveyed the rest, "that I am the best dressed."

Maybe not all has changed utterly.