Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3046529/ufc-246-jorge-masvidal-says-conor-mcgregor
Martial Arts/ Mixed Martial Arts

UFC: Jorge Masvidal says Conor McGregor has ‘gifts’ at 170 pounds – ‘if he touches anybody they’ll feel it’

  • Masvidal thinks McGregor might be outsized but believes ‘we’ll still be able to see his speed and power’
  • ‘Gamebred’ says Irishman’s power ‘won’t be out’ and opponents will fear ‘good, clean shots’
Conor McGregor speaks during a media event for UFC 246. Photo: AP

Jorge Masvidal may be angling for a mega-money fight with Conor McGregor, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to ignore the Irishman’s credentials.

Former featherweight and lightweight McGregor returns to the UFC Octagon on Saturday night against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at welterweight, prompting questions of a run for a third division title.

Masvidal, who is also seemingly in line for the next crack at 170-pounds champion Kamaru Usman, thinks “The Notorious” could definitely hang in the division.

“He has some gifts I think, his power won’t be out,” Masvidal told a press conference in Las Vegas. “If he touches anybody at 170 with a good clean shot they’ll feel it. They won’t be walking through them.

“Strength-wise he might be oversized, he could be … I haven’t seen yet if he’s really developed into his body at 170 and we’re not gonna see that with ‘Cowboy’, he’s not a physical guy at 170 taking guys down and grinding them out.

“But I still think we’ll be able to see his [McGregor’s] speed and his power. Definitely what he’ll bring is that speed from 145. The same way at 70 I feel I’m the fastest guy.

“But I’ve come from 155 so I’ve seen some of the fastest guys on the planet. I’ve just never seen a 70 guy that was out of control fast.”

Masvidal added that he is open to fighting either McGregor or Usman next, after a stunning 2019 that saw him rise to MMA superstardom with stoppages of Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz.

“If I’m getting paid in food for both of them and it’s the same food … I like Conor, what he does in the ring, and all the eyeballs he’s brought to the sport. I like him more as a person – Usman, I can’t stand him, I’ll be honest. I’ll pick Usman every day,” Masvidal said.

“But it’s all business, always, especially for me. So I’d pick Conor in real life. But if it’s all the same potatoes and tomatoes I will break his [Usman’s] face man, in a violent way.

“I just don’t like the way he’s been playing. At first I came at him with a lot of respect, and now he’s been talking too much s***. I just wanna shut his mouth up.”