Conor McGregor's Coach Talks Rafael dos Anjos, Eyes Welterweight Title Run
Conor McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh, thinks the UFC featherweight champion will make light work of Rafael dos Anjos in his next outing and could yet go on to become a three-weight title winner.
It has been confirmed by the UFC that McGregor will make his lightweight bow against title-holder Dos Anjos at UFC 197 on March 5. It’s a fight which Kavanagh claims in his column for The 42 will be easy work for his man:
"I believe this will be another one that won’t see the end of the first round. If dos Anjos manages to survive the first exchange, he’ll become a panicked grappler. Should that happen, I’m looking forward to people getting an opportunity to see just how comfortable Conor is in that regard.
This is a huge fight because of the historical significance of what’s at stake and I expect Conor to add to his legacy of breaking records. What will happen on 5 March will never happen again. It’ll be something for the record books. To say I’m excited is to put it mildly.
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As we can see here courtesy of Bleacher Report's Jeremy Botter, McGregor himself has recently said as much too:
If the Irishman does take victory it’ll be historic, not only because he’ll become just the third competitor to win titles in two different weight classes, but because he’ll be the first fighter ever in the UFC to hold two belts simultaneously.
However, Kavanagh thinks McGregor could go on to accomplish even more in the sport, insisting he could even fight at welterweight:
"I think people will be surprised too when they see him standing beside these guys and they realise that even at lightweight, Conor is a pretty big guy.
And maybe the pursuit of belts won’t stop there either. I’ve said from the beginning that welterweight may not be out of the question. One of Conor’s main sparring partners, Gunnar Nelson, is a welterweight, so Conor is very used to that feel. I would not be at all surprised if we’re preparing to go for a third belt a year from now.
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It’s a remarkable prospect to even ponder. Anyone who tuned in for Robbie Lawler’s showdown with Carlos Condit at UFC 195 will have been struck by the brute power the top men have in that division and, as impressive as McGregor has been, it’s hard to see him coping with that kind of brawn.
Sports writer Paul Morrissey feels McGregor could potentially make that weight, but even for the Irishman, it could be a bridge too far:
There’s no questioning the ambition of McGregor’s camp, who, like him, seem set on breaking new ground in what is still a relatively young discipline. But as Morrissey noted above, the featherweight champ has a massive challenge on his hands against Dos Anjos.
The Brazilian has been mightily impressive in his last two outings, first winning the title from Anthony Pettis and then swatting aside the dangerous Donald Cerrone in his first defence of it.
His fighting style also looks well tailored to nullify McGregor’s qualities, as he’s strong at dealing with fierce strikers and preventing his opponents from finding any rhythm inside the Octagon.
But Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Snowden feels McGregor has a good chance if he can preserve his power at a heavier weight:
"McGregor vs. Dos Anjos is hard to call. If Conor's power comes with him to 155...watch out.
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) January 8, 2016"
McGregor’s superb movement inside the Octagon will also help him against Dos Anjos.
A lightweight fight with Dos Anjos is a logical progression that comes with sufficient risk, and that’ll keep fans hooked. Welterweight, by contrast, seems a little fanciful, even for someone as remarkable as McGregor.
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