Conor McGregor once unleashed a concise verbal attack against Jeremy Stephens and gave life to one of the most memorable catchphrases in combat sports history. McGregor’s jibe at Stephens transpired at the star-studded UFC 205 press conference.
Conor McGregor’s Iconic Six-Word Jibe at Jeremy Stephens at UFC 205
The UFC 205 press conference in September 2016 featured various fighters booked to compete at the pay-per-view (PPV) event in November 2016. Then-UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor was scheduled to clash against then-UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez in the headlining match.
During the aforementioned press conference, McGregor was asked which fighter, among those present onstage, he viewed as his toughest matchup.
Jeremy Stephens, who was set to face ex-UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar in a featherweight bout at the event, intervened by stating, “Right here. Right here. The hardest-hitting 145-pounder, the real hardest-hitting 145’er right here. This guy TKO’s people. When I knock people out, they don’t f**king move.”
In response, the Irishman delivered a one-liner that later became one of the most repeated quotes in the fight game. McGregor said, “Who the f**k is that guy? Who the f**k is that?”
The American hit back by claiming that McGregor knew who he was. Regardless, McGregor once again jibed, “Who the f**k is that? Oh my God. I don’t know.”
Stephens used the term “leprechaun” to refer to McGregor, and the latter fired back by saying, “Oh. Good one.” “The Notorious” further warned that he’d dethrone Eddie Alvarez to become the UFC Lightweight Champion and then bring Floyd Mayweather Jr. out of retirement and take on the boxing legend. The Irishman went on to accomplish both of those things.
McGregor also took shots at various other opponents during the press conference.
What Happened at UFC 205?
McGregor stopped Alvarez via TKO at UFC 205, becoming the first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously. He later made his professional boxing debut, losing to Mayweather via 10th-round TKO the following year.
Meanwhile, Stephens suffered a unanimous decision defeat against Edgar at UFC 205.
McGregor hasn’t competed in the professional combat sports realm since his horrific mid-fight leg injury against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.
Alternatively, Stephens last competed in the BKFC, a bare-knuckle boxing organization that’s co-owned by McGregor. “Lil’ Heathen” beat Eddie Alvarez via TKO in their bare-knuckle boxing match at BKFC KnuckleMania V in January 2025. He then engaged in a cordial, albeit intense, face-off with McGregor inside the ring, hinting at a potential fight between them.
Nevertheless, Stephens later re-entered the UFC. He’s booked to fight Mason Jones in a lightweight bout at UFC Des Moines on May 3, 2025.
As for McGregor, he’s been busy with his budding political career and is lobbying to become the President of Ireland. As such, many fans have speculated about whether the combat sports megastar’s long-awaited UFC comeback would ever materialize.