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’
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.