MMA coach Justin Buchholz believes Conor McGregor should risk potential disqualification in an attempt to avoid being knocked out by Floyd Mayweather when they meet on August 26.
McGregor, who has never been involved in a professional boxing bout, is a big underdog when the two meet. It means something special is required to beat Mayweather, who is undefeated in 49 professional bouts.
Team Alpha Male coach Buchholz believes McGregor needs to take a risk as a result, per Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com:
“That’s why I’d say, when Floyd starts picking him apart, McGregor needs to turn it into an MMA fight at the risk of being DQ’d.
“If it’s Round 4 and you’re saying, ‘We’ve got no chance, this guy’s picking us apart, we don’t even want to move in there because we’re going to get knocked out’—next time you get into the clinch, double leg him. It’s better to get DQ’d than knocked the f–k out.”
Buchholz has made his name coaching the likes of Cody Garbrandt and Urijah Faber, and he will be recognisable to viewers of the recently concluded The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption, in which he got into heated exchanges with ex-Alpha Male star TJ Dillashaw.
Given McGregor has no professional boxing experience, it’d be no surprise to see him do something out of the ordinary in an attempt to disrupt Mayweather.
As well as suggesting McGregor should risk disqualification, Buchholz also outlined a blueprint of sorts for how the Irishman gets a foothold in the contest that falls within the rules.
“Go in there, get in his face right off the bat and try to win a round,” he said. “First three rounds, win one of them by just being aggressive. Floyd can fight in the clinch, and he’ll stick his elbow up in your face. But we’re talking about an MMA fighter with McGregor.”
MMA journalist Chamatkar Sandhu insisted he wouldn’t be surprised to see the UFC lightweight champion break boxing regulations:
However, as reported by Martin Rogers of USA Today, UFC President Dana White has confirmed that the most pertinent point on the fight contract prevents McGregor from tossing elbows or attempting to throw any kicks at the man known as Money.
Mayweather will be ready for some unorthodox tactics from his opponent. Still, the 40-year-old is a canny fighter and a supreme competitor, so expect him to be ready for whatever the Notorious brings to the ring. Within reason, at least.
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