Conor McGregor admits whiskey business trapped him in drinking

Conor McGregor said his whiskey business pulled him into a cycle of heavy drinking that derailed his fighting career.

McGregor, who returns against Max Holloway at UFC 329 after five years out of competition, told reporters at media day that promoting his former Irish whiskey brand trapped him in habits he never had as an active athlete. "I launched an Irish whiskey," he said, per MMA Mania. "I didn't drink heavily, if at all, in that time of my life. I was an athlete at the top of my game. Next thing you know, there's thousands upon thousands of bottles in my garage. I'd leave my property with two bottles under my arm, and that was it. I was caught."

McGregor's comeback after legal troubles and layoff

The Irishman acknowledged the skepticism around his return following legal issues, sexual assault allegations, and substance abuse admissions. "You know, there's nothing better than proving people wrong," McGregor said. "People are entitled to their opinion. Some are valid. You know, there's some questions. Time out, injury, lifestyle, yada yada yada. I know, I know. Let's go. We're gonna go inside that night and shut them all up again."

McGregor maintained his innocence regarding a 2018 civil trial in which a jury found him liable for the rape of Nikita Hand. "I'm an innocent man, and I'll stand for my innocence until the day I go out," he said. He also addressed his failed presidential run in Ireland and criticized immigration policies in his home country, though he said he is not trying to win back detractors.

The former two-division champion faces Holloway at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on June 11.

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• MMA Mania — Conor McGregor admits whiskey business led to too much drinking: ‘I was trapped and caught’