Speaking to Gareth A. Davies on BT Sport in the weeks prior to UFC 194, Conor McGregor gave an insight into the thought process which is a result of his obsession with MMA.
To be the best in your chosen field, the Dubliner said that you have to be 'insane to your craft'. While everyone else is thinking about football or rugby and attempting to engage him in conversation about such topics, his mind is aloof to their efforts. He's contemplating his art.
People are talking to me and in my head I'm counting something, I'm counting up a number or I'm knee-deep in sequence on the mat or on my feet. That's my life, sequences and numbers. Nothing else. I cannot pay attention to nothing else.
McGregor offered a further example of this compulsion on Instagram on Monday with an analysis of the scene in the moments after he had KO'd Jose Aldo and referee 'Big' John McCarthy had intervened to stop the fight.
The featherweight champion broke the moment down to how he would feel about it at a basic, instinctive level; almost as if it was a street fight.
Most will see 1 unconscious man here.
I see a clean get up about to happen in a fight against multiple attackers.
Hips away, strong frame with the left hand, right hand post on the mat with bottom leg free for a clean get up.
If Big John was a second attacker, he is in trouble. I am a split second away from being back to my feet here.
With his outstretched, forward reaching pressure, and his torso separated from his hips, Big John is ending up face down after the get up.
Two or three quick cracks to his temple and I make my escape clean.
Two attackers immobilized.
What's up Las Vegas.
Read: A New Possibility For Conor McGregor's Next Fight And It Would Make A Lot Of Sense
Given that he is just nine days removed from winning the biggest fight of his career so far, McGregor could have been forgiven for relaxing.
It seems he's not switching off anytime soon.
