Conor McGregor was full of praise for Donald Cerrone when the men came face-to-face for the first time since their UFC 246 main event was announced.
The build-up for this weekend's fight has been possibly the quietest ever for a bout involving the Dubliner, but the two men finally took to the mic on the same stage in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The Notorious admitted there will be blood spilled when they get into the Octagon, but "it will not be bad blood" as he vowed to knock 'Cowboy' out.
McGregor said: "I've had my back and forwards with Donald throughout the years. The last time we spoke to each other, even saw each other, would have been at that press conference [when they both traded insults back] many years ago. So much has changed since then.
"I was the interim featherweight world champion at the time. Donald predicted I wouldn't get through Aldo, I got through Aldo. He predicted I was too small for the 155 pound division, I conquered that division.
"We've had a good back and forward myself and Donald and as time has gone on he's become a family man.
"Obviously you've seen him compete so many times. It's hard not to respect Donald right now at this stage. He has my respect and although there will be blood spilled on January 18, it will not be bad blood and for the Mystic Mac prediction, it will be a KO."
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