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“I think Conor going in motivated, enjoying the training, the way he is, can beat any of them. I really believe that.”
There’s much debate about Conor McGregor’s next fight, but coach Owen Roddy isn’t getting too caught up in the discussion.
According to Roddy, who serves as McGregor’s striking coach at Straight Blast Gym in Dublin, Ireland, it doesn’t matter who ‘The Notorious’ fights next — a motivated Conor can beat anyone, whether it be Jorge Masvidal, Kamaru Usman or Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“I don’t really mind who it is,” Roddy said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday (h/t Abhinav Kini of Low Kick MMA). “I think Conor going in motivated, enjoying the training, the way he is, can beat any of them. I really believe that.”
There were concerns heading into UFC 246 that McGregor would struggle against Cerrone at 170 pounds, but the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion couldn’t have looked better, disposing of ‘Cowboy’ in just 40 seconds and cementing his status as one of the most dangerous strikers in all three weight classes.
Roddy is open to McGregor dropping back down to the lightweight division but believes the 31-year-old looked most dangerous at UFC 246, where he competed as a welterweight.
“People were questioning can he carry that weight and that power up into that 170 weight class,” Roddy said. “But I’ve never seen him so ferocious in there. The shots he was throwing when Cerrone hit the ground were ferocious. You know what, not many people on this Earth can take those shots.
“I think he’s got lots of options. It’s always Conor’s choice. Whoever motivates Conor the most is the fight he will take place.”
McGregor has yet to reveal his next opponent but oddsmakers list Jorge Masvidal as the most favorable matchup.