Stephen Thompson doesn’t like Conor McGregor’s chances against Kamaru Usman.
McGregor, who’s nearing the end of his recovery from a broken leg, said last week that he’s eying a bout with Usman for the welterweight championship upon his return. McGregor has put on a significant amount of size during rehab, but “Wonderboy” still thinks Usman (20-1 MMA, 15-0 UFC) would have an advantage.
Although he gives McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) a puncher’s chance, former two-time title challenger Thompson thinks Usman’s strengths are McGregor’s weaknesses.
“He’s going to get demolished,” Thompson said on his “What’s Up Everybody?!” podcast. “Yeah, it’s going to be a big fight, big payday, but you’re going to get demolished, dude. I love you, Conor, but you put on the weight like that, and you’re fighting a dude at 170. I mean, you’ve got to try and put some weight on to become a real 170. I mean, look at Kamaru. Look at the biceps and shoulders on that guy … and he’s got both attributes. He’s got cardio for days, and (he’s) one of the top wrestlers in the welterweight division.”
Usman, who’s projected to rematch Leon Edwards this summer, laughed off McGregor’s callout. Instead, the UFC’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter seems dead set on boxing Canelo Alvarez, an idea UFC president Dana White is completely against.
Kamaru Usman cautions Conor McGregor after his callout pic.twitter.com/1JPj2igCcl
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 18, 2022
When White was asked about McGregor’s desire to challenge Usman, he wasn’t entirely dismissive of it.
“It’s interesting. I hadn’t heard that,” White told The MacLife. “He’s coming into Vegas. We’re getting together soon, and we’re gonna talk. We’ll see what’s next. … Any Conor fight is good money-wise.”
Stephen Thompson: I love Conor McGregor, but he’d get ‘demolished’ by Kamaru Usman
