Odell Beckham Jr. Says He Was Inspired After Watching Conor McGregor at UFC 205

Odell Beckham Jr. told Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com that watching Conor McGregor defeat Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 last Saturday served as motivation for him in the New York Giants' 21-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football:

"

I set the bar high for myself. I kind of had some late inspiration. I went to the UFC fight and I went there to watch McGregor and just a guy who is very strong in his beliefs and sure enough, he backs it up every time. Just sitting there watching him do his thing gave me more motivation.

I had seen that I needed however many yards it was to break that record [for quickest to 3,500 yards], so really that stuff is kind of secondary right now. We are 6-3; I haven't been 6-3 since I have been here, so this is a good feeling.

"

Beckham caught 10 passes for 97 yards and a score and was crucial in the victory, moving the Giants to 6-3 on the season. It kept them firmly in the hunt for a playoff berth and still within striking distance of the 8-1 Dallas Cowboys in the competitive NFC East. 

He also became the fastest player to reach 3,500 receiving yards in NFL history, doing so in 36 games. Lance Alworth of the San Diego Chargers previously held the record at 37 contests.

It isn't just yardage that Beckham continues to accumulate, as the NFL on ESPN noted:

The impressive numbers come during another huge season for Beckham, who has caught 54 passes for 773 yards and six touchdowns. He remains one of the NFL's most dangerous offensive weapons and is the centerpiece of New York's offense.

But over the weekend, McGregor served as his inspiration. Beckham even posed for a picture on Instagram with the two-division UFC champion after his fight.

"I usually go to things like that for inspiration," Beckham told Raanan. "I like seeing guys in their atmosphere."

If Beckham continues to break records, athletes from other sports may start attending Giants games to derive inspiration.

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