“We don’t do that in MMA”- Ex-UFC Middleweight on Mike Tyson’s advice to Conor McGregor
Mike Tyson an American former professional boxer had some words in regards to the comeback of Conor McGregor. Tyson shared thoughts on McGregor taking a few easy fights to ease himself back into the UFC title picture. Tyson on The Fight Card podcast said,
“Conor, I think you should build your confidence up… No big time guy, let him get three fights and build his confidence back up.”
translated Quote from The Fight Card Podcast
However, in response to the idea that McGregor could take warm-up fights when he returns to action. EX-UFC Middleweight Chael Sonnen on his YouTube channel Chael Sonnen stated,
“Boxing will do things like this. So if Mike was in Conor’s shoes, that’s what he’s doing. He’s been a good human being, following the basic rule. ‘Put myself in someone else’s shoes, what would I do?’ In the sport of boxing, that’s what he could do. That’s exactly how they went. We don’t do that in MMA.”
Translated quote from Chael Sonnen
McGregor is currently recovering from a broken left fibula and tibia. He received this injury in the octagon at UFC 264 when he was facing Dustin Poirer. That was in July of 2021. McGregor has since received surgery on his leg and he has been rehabbing the injury.
Chael Sonnen, who is a former UFC title challenger, disagreed with Tyson’s take on McGregor’s future. Sonnen acknowledged that Tyson was just putting himself in McGregor’s shoes but Sonnen clarified that boxing is not MMA. Sonnen, when talking about the UFC, proposed the question “Is there anyone that’s an easy fight?”. He then stated, “Of course not”. He detailed further problems with Conor McGregor taking easier fights against lesser opponents. Sonnen shared that he doesn’t believe the UFC would do huge pay-per-view event with McGregor and a lesser fighter. Furthermore, he said that he is unsure if McGregor has three fights left. This brought Sonnen to an overall conclusion of if McGregor would take an easy fight. He exclaimed,
“It’s not going to happen”.
Translated quote from Chael Sonnen
Conor McGregor’s prospects
McGregor is currently ranked eighth in the UFC lightweight rankings. He could receive an immediate title shot when he returns. Alternatively, there are multiple people in front of him that he has not fought. McGregor could be matched up to face number five ranked Michael Chandler or number three ranked Justin Gaethje. Also, McGregor can comeback at welterweight because he has fought in the welterweight division before in his career. There would be a possible McGregor vs Diaz trilogy at welterweight. As well as that, there could be a face-off against eighth ranked Jorge Masvidal, who recently ripped into McGregor. Although there is no time or opponent set in stone Conor McGregor will have many options when he returns.
