Despite a surprise loss to Nate Diaz in which Conor McGregor was literally punching way above his weight, the Irish pugilist’s reputation hasn’t taken as much of a hit as one might expect.
The current UFC Featherweight Champion has already scheduled a rematch to prove that he can hack it in the heavier welterweight division and doesn’t plan to be scaling back on the self-promotion either.
Between the commercials and video games, it seems like the fighter known as “The Notorious” is everywhere, but one place McGregor hasn’t made his mark is the big screen—and that could be changing.
By now you’ve probably already seen the latest film in the revered Rocky franchise, Creed, he’s the son of Rocky’s greatest rival, Apollo Creed, and he struggles to emerge from his father’s looming shadow to become a great fighter in his own right.
The movie was a huge success both critically and financially so it comes as no surprise that Hollywood is already preparing a sequel to the 2015 slugfest.
One of the features of the film that helped with its hard-hitting realism was the use of real professional fighters. American boxers Andre Ward and Gabriel Rosado both made appearances, in addition European Boxing Union Cruiserweight champion, Englishman Tony Bellew.
Naturally, the crew will be wanting even more fighters for the second round and there are few fighters with the talent, charisma, and name recognition of UFC’s current Featherweight Champion, Conor McGregor.
Director Ryan Coogler has already said he’d love to have McGregor in the next film, and we can only hope to see The Notorious punch his way to the silver screen during Creed’s next bout.
Meanwhile, The mobile fighting game, Real Boxing 2: Creed is the official game of the movie and shows players the ropes as they step into the ring to prove they have what it takes for a shot at the title.
The Rocky franchise and its brand of knock-down, drag-out boxing has long lent itself well to the world of video games but they haven’t all been fighting games.
The Italian Stallion has also found himself in his own licensed casual title among a number of pop culture-themed slot games that has players looking to try their luck against some of the hero’s most famous foes from throughout the fabled franchise.
McGregor will be going at it against Diaz for the second time this summer at UFC 200 as he prepares for a rematch with the scrappy Californian that’s harder than a coffin nail.
Like the previous fight, this one will again be in the 170 lb. welterweight division, as McGregor looks to redeem himself and prove he’s the best at any weight class he wishes to fight in. Whatever happens, we look forward to seeing much more of McGregor in the future and can’t wait for July.
