Number one ranked UFC featherweight Chad Mendes gave his thoughts on Conor McGregor in recent interview on the MMA Hour. Mendes takes on Jose Aldo for the featherweight belt at UFC 179 on October 25.
The Team Alpha Male product was very complimentary of the Irish MMA superstar's abilities and what he has done to promote the sport. However, he admitted he would relish the opportunity to knock him down a peg or two.
Honestly, the guy talks a lot of shit, but I think he’s great for the sport. It’s an eye-opener for a lot of people to bring that much recognition to the featherweight division and to the sport of the UFC. I think it’s great. But don’t get me wrong. I would love to punch this dude right in the face.
'Money' Mendes believes he has found McGregor's achilles heel. He suggested that the Notorious would not be able to cope with elite wrestling prowess, which conveniently, Mendes has in his repertoire.
He’s a big talker. He’s got the skill set to back it up, but I don’t think he’s on my level yet. I’d like to see him get in there with somebody who has a little bit of a wrestling background. I think a guy like Dennis Bermudez, honestly, would beat him. I think a guy like Clay Guida, and even Nik Lentz, I think all three of those guys would test him very, very well, and most likely beat him.
Many of the MMA cognoscenti feel that Jose Aldo will be granted an immediate rematch, should Mendes defeat him in Brazil. However, the American believes that this isn't necessarily the case.
If I go out there and beat Aldo I would rather fight a bigger name like Conor. Not necessarily a bigger name, but a guy with a bigger draw like that. Like you said, that’s going to be a ton more money. It’s going to be a way bigger recognition fight. And I think it’s going to be huge for the featherweight division. We’ll cross that road when it comes, but I think that’s a great idea.
After Dana White publicly announced that Conor McGregor was the logical number one featherweight contender, the two could very well lock horns for the coveted UFC belt sooner rather than later.
Hat tip: MMA Fighting
