UFC 145: Michael McDonald Seriously Underestimates Miguel Torres

Michael McDonald appears to approach what could be one of the more exciting fights of UFC 145—his own against Miguel Torres—with a shrug.

In an interview with MMAjunkie.com, McDonald explained himself.

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This is the highest-profile fight that I've had. It's the most publicity; my opponent has the biggest record and the most experience. But I don't know if it's the biggest step up in competition from where I was previously.

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McDonald continued, explaining his approach lies somewhere between confident consistency and laissez-faire.

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I think he's good, and I think I'm better. I've never looked at him and said if I customize myself to him and his style (that) I think I could beat him. I've always said me being me, I think I can beat him as him. I haven't watched a minute of footage because I've studied him, and I already know that I can beat him, and that's all I need.

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There is little to suggest that McDonald isn’t deserving of this confidence. He is coming up in the bantamweight division as one of its most impressive fighters, not only because he enters the ring with a seven-win streak, but because of the absolute versatility he’s shown as a professional fighter, especially in the UFC.

Moreover, the match-up between McDonald and Torres is frighteningly even. According to Yahoo! Sports, even odds makers have neither fighter at advantage. Both are considered wild cards at some level—fans watch to see if Torres will return to his once-renowned high level of energy and aggression or have finally refined his new style, all the while waiting to see how McDonald will handle the Torres that shows up.

What most have agreed on is that it’s going to be Torres’ experience against McDonald’s ability, and that both of these are equally capable of landing their respective fighter the victory. It’s exactly this that makes McDonald’s cavalier approach to this fight so disconcerting.

Where McDonald says Torres isn’t his next competitive step, I’d argue the contrary. At the same time, I’d argue that McDonald will see much more success from this point than will Torres.

Nevertheless, if McDonald is to realize the full potential of the promise he’s already shown, it may help to also fully realize the competition he faces—it may be the thing that saves him tomorrow night.