Re: UFC
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:34 pm
Styles make fights. MMA math doesn't work.
Khabib is a one-trick-pony but his trick is elite level for what it is. However, Conor, in my opinion, has the antidote.
He can fight going backwards, better than every other lightweight can fight, full stop.
McGregor's take down defence is underrated and gets ridiculed because of his noteworthy Mendes fight. I believe McGregor had a jacked up knee for that fight that was far worse than he let on. If you look at his two most recent fights, vs Diaz and vs Alvarez, his TDD is very proficient. I do however think this isn't supremely relevant because Khabib likely will take anyone down if he gets a clean shot. My belief though is Khabib's standup is so amateurish relative to Conor that he won't get a chance at the clean shot.
Conor's distance perception and understanding of angles are on a level in stark contrast to any lightweight fighter, and especially Khabib.
There are some seriously limited fighters that Khabib has beaten but crucially, not been able to put away. Iaquinta was dominated when brought to the ground but he invariably was either able to get back to his feet or make it to the end of the round. By the later rounds, he was stuffing Khabib's shots and there was potential to engage in stand up. I staunchly believe that if Conor found himself in that same situation with him, it's game over. Conor will piece him up and finish him.
The key would be for Conor to be very cautious (which thankfully for him, and contrary to what many realise, is his natural style).
If you watch Conor, he uses his right hand to extreme benefit in gauging the distance, having a feel for level changes and incoming takedown attempts, and as a placefinder for blind striking. He just has to use his distance perception to stay on the edge of range, frustrate Khabib, lull him to a takedown attempt and send him to sleep.
Michael Johnson wobbled him. Al Iaquinta even managed to get a decent shot or two in on him. Their power and striking nuance isn't even in the same stratosphere as Conor.
I honestly think it would be an easy fight for McGregor, short of him getting careless and allowing Khabib to get on top of him and pound him into a submission position. As I say, thankfully for Conor, he is a naturally defensive fighter who is incredible at fighting going backwards with counters.
Khabib is a one-trick-pony but his trick is elite level for what it is. However, Conor, in my opinion, has the antidote.
He can fight going backwards, better than every other lightweight can fight, full stop.
McGregor's take down defence is underrated and gets ridiculed because of his noteworthy Mendes fight. I believe McGregor had a jacked up knee for that fight that was far worse than he let on. If you look at his two most recent fights, vs Diaz and vs Alvarez, his TDD is very proficient. I do however think this isn't supremely relevant because Khabib likely will take anyone down if he gets a clean shot. My belief though is Khabib's standup is so amateurish relative to Conor that he won't get a chance at the clean shot.
Conor's distance perception and understanding of angles are on a level in stark contrast to any lightweight fighter, and especially Khabib.
There are some seriously limited fighters that Khabib has beaten but crucially, not been able to put away. Iaquinta was dominated when brought to the ground but he invariably was either able to get back to his feet or make it to the end of the round. By the later rounds, he was stuffing Khabib's shots and there was potential to engage in stand up. I staunchly believe that if Conor found himself in that same situation with him, it's game over. Conor will piece him up and finish him.
The key would be for Conor to be very cautious (which thankfully for him, and contrary to what many realise, is his natural style).
If you watch Conor, he uses his right hand to extreme benefit in gauging the distance, having a feel for level changes and incoming takedown attempts, and as a placefinder for blind striking. He just has to use his distance perception to stay on the edge of range, frustrate Khabib, lull him to a takedown attempt and send him to sleep.
Michael Johnson wobbled him. Al Iaquinta even managed to get a decent shot or two in on him. Their power and striking nuance isn't even in the same stratosphere as Conor.
I honestly think it would be an easy fight for McGregor, short of him getting careless and allowing Khabib to get on top of him and pound him into a submission position. As I say, thankfully for Conor, he is a naturally defensive fighter who is incredible at fighting going backwards with counters.