UFC 189 Embedded Episode 8

The longer this fight goes, the more Mendes should have the edge.

It was originally billed as a battle of ruthless strikers between McGregor and reigning featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo, which reeks of irony when you consider it was an errant body kick from an unknown (and overzealous) training partner that sent “Junior” to the injured reserves. It makes UFC 189 one of the most parity-driven cards in recent memory with picks from the Sun’s panel all over the place. I’ll just flat out admit it, I love Conor McGregor.

In terms of a stylistic matchup, McGregor couldn’t have imagined an opponent trickier than Mendes.

McGregor’s ascent has been greeted with a combination of skepticism and excitement by his fellow fighters, particularly those in his weight class. They understand the multilayered game he’s playing with his brash public pronouncements and sharp-dressed image, but McGregor is serious enough to spark genuine anger from the targets of his verbal wrath.

Conor McGregor en route to victory against Dustin Poirier at UFC 178. In all his bluster telling Aldo he wanted to “turn his favela into a Reebok sweatshop” and ordering the champion to spit-shine “my belt”, McGregor aimed to psych out the respectful, and respected, Brazilian.

For Mendes to have any success, his wrestling will have to lead the way. While the Boston native looks like a sizeable underdog on the pay sheet, Vegas has him at even money or as a small favorite over Cathal Pendred.

The reason this card will be so big is not only the two titles that are on the line but also because of the dynamic personality of Conor McGregor, who, with his over-the-top confidence, has wowed many in the media with charm and charisma. But in the end, it’s McGregor taking this fight.

As much as the head-to-head comparisons don’t really hold up upon close examination, beating Robbie Lawler would put MacDonald and St-Pierre in the same company as UFC welterweight champs. The ground game is still his biggest weakness, but he has worked diligently on quickly getting back to his feet.

McGregor, who mocked Aldo in a series of press conferences spanning North and South America, and Europe, claimed he prepared for the initial fight to fall apart. A showcase of grinding, showing no fear, and stepping up when it matters.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen with these two. They are set to fight for their amateur world titles on Friday night Las Vegas time. All his trash talking will be worthless if he leaves the Octagon a loser, which is a real possibility.

McGregor adjusts his shades and sits up straight. He returned in 2013 and is 6-1 since, culminating with a split-decision win over Johny Hendricks to take the title last December. Stephens will wear down while Bermudez is just getting warmed up. Over the course of 25 minutes, he will secure multiple takedowns, move to dominant positions and land his fair share of strikes. MacDonald’s aggression will wear down as the fight bears on and Lawler will take advantage of the latter rounds. McGregor insists that the opponent is immaterial whilst Chad Mendes is chomping at the bit to dish out some humble pie to a man he believes has insulted and disrespected him ad nauseam. These two compare and contrast in many ways, which may lead to some fireworks inside the cage.

Louis Smolka ($4,800): While his takedown defense is cause for concern, Smolka is just a better athlete than Neil Seery. Did fans want to see Aldo vs. McGregor?

Everything is coming together for a record week. Mendes, meanwhile, will get another crack at UFC gold.

MacDonald is the superior technical fighter, but Lawler possesses a almost unparalleled level of toughness and an ability to alter the trajectory of a fight with one timely punch. The good thing about fighting is that you have weight classes. Thomas Almeida via Technical Knockout.