Chiesa believes that McGregor will lose the lightweight belt in 2017. (Photo: Getty Images)
The fact that Conor McGregor It has its value, no one disputes it. However, there are those who doubt the Irishman's real capacity as lightweight champion. The fighter Michael chiesa, 8th in the lightweight rankings, believes that 'The Notorious', who won the division's belt in November 2016, when he knocked out Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205, will not stay at the top for long. According to the North American, the category will have a new champion by the end of 2017.
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“Conor is good, but I don't really think he's a true lightweight. That's what I'm saying. With the scenario in this division, I don't see Conor ending the year as champion. If you put me there, I'll drag you to the ground and beat him too. I'm as big as Nate or bigger, and we saw how much trouble Nate gave him,” he declared, in an interview with the '5ive Rounds' ESPN.com (USA) podcast.
Asked about McGregor's next opponent, who will be defined at UFC 209, March 4th, when Khabib Nurmagomedov e Tony Ferguson will face each other for the interim lightweight belt, Chiesa emphasizes that the challenger, regardless of who wins, will cause problems for the Irishman.
"Tony Ferguson and Khabib, he will have to fight the winner of that fight. I mean, you (McGregor) are good, but you will be facing a guy who is 24-0, multiple sambo world champion, or a guy who will be on a 10-game winning streak. (…) Sooner or later, Conor is going to have to come out and fight, whether he's taking this hiatus or the company is putting him on ice, I don't know, but I don't see him remaining as champion”, he concluded.
Winner of TUF 15, Chiesa, 29 years old, comes from three consecutive victories, the last of which over Beneil Dariush, in April 2016, at UFC on Fox 19. In total, Maverick, as he is known, has a record of 14 wins and just two losses (7-2 in Ultimate), with ten wins by submission. He has already beaten names like Francisco Massaranduba, Jim Miller e To the fifth.
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