Conor McGregor is ‘improving’ boxing skills but is blasted by sparring partner Paulie Malignaggi for ‘setting me up’

: "I think the intensity Conor's reaching is starting to show in the hard work he's put into camp.

"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."

But despite his complimentary words, McGregor unsettled Malignaggi by making him spar for 12 rounds shortly after a long-haul flight in front of a UFC crowd.

The American, who was world champion at junior welterweight and welterweight, added: "A lot of violence.

"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 set-up.

"Usually all sparring is private. I show up at the UFC headquarters and [former owner, Lorenzo] Fertitta is there.[UFC president] 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."

Top referee Joe Cortez has revealed he had to separate McGregor and Paulie Malignaggi in a fiery sparring session.

He told RUSH 93: "It was the real thing, I had to stop the action, say, 'You guys are a little out of control here, you've got to stop this'. You know, they got a little rough.

"They were both roughing each other up and I had to stop the action like it was a regular fight.

"They were holding too much - they were trying to punch each other.

"So I had to call, 'Time, alright guys you've got to stop this right now, I want a good, clean, strong - give me a sportsman-like conduct you understand?'."