Don’t count UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw among Conor McGregor‘s millions of adoring fans.
Speaking on Tuesday’s edition of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Dillashaw sounded off on the popular Irish fighter’s personality, skills and future.
In particular, the 135-pound king took umbrage with McGregor‘s boisterous, polarizing personality.
“I know it brings attention to the sport, I know it builds up fights,” Dillashaw told Helwani (h/t MMAFighting.com). “It’s just too WWE for me, man. It’s just too fake, when he jumps the Octagon and tries to get in Aldo’s face, but grabs someone to hold him back at the same time. It’s just so fake, man.”
Dillashaw is, of course, referencing McGregor‘s latest post-fight antics.
After taking out Dennis Siver in Round 2 of their UFC Fight Night 59 main event, McGregor sprinted to the Octagon wall, scaled it, hopped over and promptly began spewing who knows what at featherweight champ Jose Aldo, who was seated cageside.
While it was well understood going into UFC Fight Night 59 that McGregor would net a title shot with a win, Dillashaw found the whole production a bit WWE and staged.
Beyond this, though, the Team Alpha Male product complimented McGregor‘s skills. Breaking down McGregor‘s upcoming tilt with Aldo, Dillashaw noted McGregor‘s excellence as a fighter.
“[McGregor] is a great fighter, he’s confident in the cage, he’s really, really good,” Dillashaw said. “It’s just the antics. To me, I can’t get it. I’m just too professional for the way he acts.”
Rounding out the discussion, Dillashaw told Helwani how he saw the fight playing out, and his selection wavered a bit.
“I hope [Aldo finishes him],” Dillashaw said. “But I don’t know, man. McGregor‘s standup and his movements are really good. His confidence. It’s going to be a tough fight for Aldo, but I’m rooting for Aldo.”
Aldo already defeated Dillashaw‘s teammates and friends Urijah Faber (once) and Chad Mendes (twice), so this quote speaks volumes about Dillashaw‘s distaste for McGregor.
Personally, I think McGregor is a phenomenal fighter with ever-growing skills and confidence, but I have to side with experience and a proven track record when picking a winner for this 145-pound championship tilt.
I think Aldo takes the fight via submission in Round 3.
How do you think McGregor will fare against Aldo? Sound off, and we’ll discuss this marquee matchup.
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