Paulie Admits He Hit The Canvas, Eye’s Looking Bad After Latest 12-Rounds With Conor

Paulie Malignaggi once again went to battle with UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor in a sparring match and says, this time, it got a lot more intense.

“I think the intensity Conor’s reaching is starting to show in the hard work he’s put into camp,” Malignaggi told ESPN. “I think he’s getting better and better. I really felt improvements from two weeks ago to now. I do see a guy who is implementing more and more of what they want to do in their game plan.”

Malignaggi was brought in to help McGregor prepare for his professional boxing debut later this month. During their latest sparring session, Malignaggi says there was a lot of violence between himself and the UFC champion.

“Lot of violence,” Malignaggi said. “I went in there to prove a point. I didn’t like the fact I had to fly across the country on Monday, and they have me scheduled for 12 (rounds) on Tuesday. I thought it was a little bit of a setup.

“Usually all sparring is private. I show up at the UFC headquarters and (Lorenzo) Fertitta is there. Dana White is there. So, I’m thinking these guys are thinking they’ll catch me right off the flight, set me up for him to look good in front of his audience. I didn’t like that. I kind of went in with a chip on my shoulder.”

Malignaggi went to say just how intense things got between himself and McGregor when the two were in the boxing ring.

“Conor wants his presence to be felt. He’s coming to win, right?” Malignaggi said. “He wants you to know you’re in a fight. He doesn’t want you to think it’s a picnic. So, any time he’s in the ring, he’s trying to make it as rough as possible.”

“There was a pushdown yesterday. Conor on the inside, he can get a little rough. He shoved me down, you know, but no knockdowns. Obviously, 12 rounds, you’re gonna see there’s a mark on my face. Very, very hard work for both of us. I was starting to get in a groove in the middle rounds, starting to land some good shots. Conor really came on strong in the end. It was back and forth.”

McGregor will fight Floyd “Money” Mayweather in a boxing match on Aug. 26 in Las Vegas.