Conor McGregor favors Khabib Nurmagomedov over Tony Ferguson in potential fight – MMA Junkie, USA Today

By:Farah Hannoun|October 23, 2019 12: 10 PM

Conor McGregorwasn’t able to solve theKhabib Nurmagomedovpuzzle, and he doesn’t believeTony Fergusonwould, either.

Speaking at a sponsor’s event Tuesday in Kyiv, Ukraine, McGregor broke down how he sees a potential title fight between lightweight champion Nurmagomedov and Ferguson playing out, giving the edge to “The Eagle.”

“It will be an interesting one. I think Khabib would probably beat him, ”McGregor said. “Again, you’ve got to see what the circumstances are. Anyone can win on any given day. Tony is a formidable fighter also, you know. He’s very, very tough. He does go down, he does get dropped, his guard has been passed, he’s been mounted by a lesser fighter, so I would favor Khabib in that bout. ”

McGregor 21 – 4 MMA, 9-2 UFC (last fought in October 2018 at UFC 229 where he lostby fourth-round submission to Nurmagomedov. McGregor has been open about his desire for a rematch and proceeded to explain how things would go differently if he gets a second chance.

“We overestimated his grappling severely, and we also underestimated his striking, so there are things that we will correct,” McGregor said. “I will go on the offensive from a grappling standpoint. I believe I was winning the clinch exchanges in Round 3 in the bout, but it was a little too late. A little too little too late in the bout and also my lack of commitment, and I wasn’t as fully committed as I should be, carrying injuries and what not, so there’s many many things we can improve and sharpen up when the rematch happens . ”

With no targeted date for return, McGregor has thrown numerous names out there for his potential next opponent. But clearly Nurmagomedov remains at the top of that list.