Conor McGregor vs. Dennis Siver Head-to-Toe Breakdown
In less than one week, the fastest-rising star in mixed martial arts today will attempt to earn a long-awaited UFC featherweight title shot.
But in order to cash in on a golden opportunity, Conor McGregor mustn't overlook divisional mainstay Dennis Siver when the two lock horns this Sunday at UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston.
With powerful kickboxing and formidable grappling skills, Siver is arguably McGregor's toughest task to date.
It will be up to the young Irish sensation to attack with diligence and forbid his German opposition from finding an early groove.
Here is a full head-to-toe breakdown for one of the best free fights of 2015.
Striking Precision
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McGregor is a self-proclaimed master of movement.
While that ultra-confident psyche helps fuel his success, the 26-year-old also falls back on his dexterity, versatility and fluidity.
Driven by timed aggression, he can tap into these natural attributes in order to precisely pick an opponent apart.
From varying angles to unexpected feints, McGregor offers an elevated ability to make every strike count.
As for the bulkier Siver, who incorporates some of the best kickboxing in the division, delivering with unpredictability is a tough task.
Sure, he can launch timely kicks to the body or the head, but he's restricted by his frame and undying preference to throw power.
Major Advantage: McGregor
Punching Power
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As one of the biggest featherweights on the planet, Siver possesses serious power.
Whether it's his ability to land kicks or scramble to his feet by utilizing a ridiculously muscular frame, the German tank knows how to make an opponent feel inferior.
But despite his relevant background in striking and an even more influential strength advantage, he has only recorded five career knockouts through 32 fights. That's not all that impressive.
Now while a fighter's finishing rate often serves as a deceptive tool in measuring power, it's easier to fall in love with McGregor's past success than his counterpart's.
With 14 finishes by way of knockout or TKO in just 18 professional fights, the flashy featherweight has delivered when it comes to landing devastating leather. For that, he gets the nod.
Advantage: McGregor
Wrestling
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So much has been said about McGregor and what his wrestling ultimately looks like.
The UFC has yet to test him in this regard, throwing striker after striker into the Irish wood chipper.
And considering Siver is the furthest thing from a takedown specialist, we're going to have to wait even longer to see if The Notorious can stay on his feet when tested.
With that said, Sunday's affair is in fact a contest of all possibilities, so it's important to know who has the better wrestling repertoire should it come up.
McGregor does in fact possess the athleticism and quickness to defend a takedown if need be, but Siver has recorded at least one takedown in each of his last four fights.
While that's not going to win a gold medal in Daniel Cormier's book, that sort of success could resonate come Fight Night.
Taking Siver's overall power and likeliness of needing a takedown into account, he'll bring the better wrestling come Sunday.
Advantage: Siver
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Grappling
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Sinking in a submission may very well be Siver's best chance of pulling off one of the biggest upsets in division history.
With the ability to pass with precision and harness the best position to sink in a choke or armbar, the 35-year-old purple belt is always a threat to force a tap.
And considering both of McGregor's professional defeats have come by way of submission, he could be at a disadvantage should this fight move to the mat.
The even more alarming fact is that both of those losses came within the first 69 seconds of the opening bell, suggesting that McGregor does little to defend a submission once his opponent has the upper hand.
It's a slightly wild claim, but there has to be a hole in this kid's game one way or another.
Advantage: Siver
Intangibles
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McGregor's ability to harness unmeasurable tools is a major component to his maddening success.
In other words, he's a walking, talking X-factor.
From the way he enters the Octagon to the essence of his seemingly effortless destruction, the Irish phenom embodies absolutely everything a rising superstar should.
As an aging striker on the tail end of his career, Siver doesn't offer the same confident mastery that McGregor does.
Sure, he has what it takes to land one perfectly timed head kick, but it's McGregor's effervescent mindset that lets us know that he'll pull out the victory by any means necessary.
That impenetrable aura is simply undeniable.
Major Advantage: McGregor
Verdict
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With a long-awaited title shot against UFC featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo looming in the distance, it seems nearly impossible that McGregor would drop the ball now.
But this is the fight game, and not holding out for an already well-deserved shot at gold could backfire should Siver show up better than ever.
However, with skill out the wazoo, McGregor is just too equipped to come up short against a one-dimensional fighter who hasn't recorded a finish since 2010.
As a fan, you want to see this fight go as long as possible to gauge McGregor's evolution as a fighter, but he'll probably come out guns blazing like he always does.
Verdict: McGregor via First-Round TKO
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