Former champion and contender at 135lbs Urijah Faber gave his thoughts On Conor McGregor’s return. McGregor was supposed to return against Michael Chandler back in June but pulled out with a broken toe. This did worry fans as the McGregor of old would not be deterred by something like a broken pinkie toe. And this combined with all the time out has fans worried. Contrary to the fan perception Faber was very optimistic regarding McGregor’s return.
Faber’s Thoughts
Urijah Faber is rather positive about McGregor’s return in an interview with MMAFighting. Faber said, “For being a friend but a distant friend, someone that I feel like I’ve spent enough time on with to kind of understand, the guy wants to fight,”. So, Faber believes Conor still wants to fight which does seem accurate. In the build up to the Chandler announcement McGregor has been raring to go.
Faber also said, “He has money, he has fame, he could easily go and just do the movie career or be a businessman or whatever, but I feel like in his heart, his identity, his passions are still to fight. I think he will fight.” Pretty much he reiterates that Conor still wants to fight. His reasoning here also makes sense McGregor could easily retire and never train or fight ever again yet he chooses to remain a fighter.
Faber gave his take on the pull out saying, “He’s in no rush, he’s going to do it on his terms, which is a great place to be. Not many people in this world, in our world, mixed martial arts, get to be in the place he’s in, where he wears the pants. But I think he will fight because he loves to fight. I mean, that’s who he is in his heart, that’s what’s given him these opportunities. He’s still young and full of piss and vinegar, so I hope to see him fight. The MMA space always benefits when a superstar comes out and puts their neck out.”.
Again he’s not wrong Conor is in the unique position of being able to afford to pull out when he’s not 100%. And at this stage of his career it’s pivotal that McGregor is in as good condition he can be.
Urijah Faber Picks Conor McGregor Over Michael Chandler
In the interview Urijah Faber picked McGregor to beat Chandler if the fight happens. Faber said, “If he trains correctly, I think he’ll win. We actually sent him a Rollbot. If you haven’t seen it, rollbotbjj.com, it’s a company that I have. I was impressed. The Rollbot is a high-tech training dummy with neck sensors and joints that dislocate. He wanted one bad, so we sent him one out, and I was watching him on that thing — and I’m like, ‘This guy is as skilled as it gets when he goes to the ground.’ He hasn’t lost a beat, so I’d like to see him back.”
So Faber based on what he’s seen from McGregor in training he thinks he can beat Chandler. Also very reasonable given stylistically Chandler is a great style for McGregor someone who runs at you with wild strikes and no defence. All McGregor has to do is time his famous straight left and he’ll probably be able to get a finish. McGregor has already beaten a better version of Chandler in Chad Mendes when he was at 145. However, that was McGregor in his prime.
So, Faber is optimistic about McGregor’s return. Do you share his enthusiasm let us know.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
