Sonnen: I believe Cowboy Cerrone upsets Conor McGregor

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Chael Sonnen explains why he believes Donald Cerrone “finds an upset” over Conor McGregor. Conor McGregor is currently a pretty big betting favorite against Donald Cerrone, with o…

UFC 238: Ultimate Media Day

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Chael Sonnen explains why he believes Donald Cerrone “finds an upset” over Conor McGregor.

Conor McGregor is currently a pretty big betting favorite against Donald Cerrone, with oddsmakers having him from -293 to -337 on their books. Majority of the professionals analyzing the contest have naturally picked the Irishman to win his comeback fight, but Chael Sonnen has a different opinion.

The fighter and analyst disagrees with those saying Cowboy is a slow starter, and says the fight will be decided early on.

“We’re gonna know after the first round who’s going to win the contest. If Conor loses the first round, he is losing the contest,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel.

“(Conor’s) a great starter. Many people have said that Cowboy is a slow starter, (but) I haven’t seen that. I don’t really know where that dialog comes from. I have never thought of Cowboy Cerrone as a slow starter, but I hear that out there.”

Related: McGregor explains why he picked ‘family man’ Cerrone as ‘comeback fight’ opponent

Sonnen concedes that Cerrone won’t be the faster fighter, but still says he believes he will find a way to beat McGregor.

“You are going to have a little bit of a speed deficit,” Sonnen said about Cerrone. “Donald Cerrone is going to have to use tactics and techniques. He’s going to have to circle in certain ways. He’s going to have to push in certain ways to take some of the emphasis and some of the power and timing off of Conor’s left hand.

“If Donald goes out there and does that all in the very first round, he will be able to carry that through the night. You want a prediction? Straight up I believe Cowboy Cerrone finds an upset.”