Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
“At 170 pounds, Conor McGregor is batting 50 percent. He has only been there twice.”
Chael Sonnen believes Donald Cerrone is being massively overlooked against Conor McGregor at UFC 246, and claims the MMA community could be in for a rude awakening come Jan. 18.
Speaking on a recent edition of Ariel & The Bad Guy, Sonnen said MMA fans are overlooking the fact that McGregor vs. Cerrone is going to be fought at 170-pounds, where ‘The Notorious’ is 1-1 against Nate Diaz.
“They missed that this is happening at welterweight, 170 pounds,” Sonnen said (h/t BJPenn.com). “I think that is so significant, and you know who else agrees with me? Is the line in Vegas. As soon as it came out at 170 pounds, that dropped from Conor McGregor at almost a 5-to-1 favorite to him a 2.5-to-1 favorite. At 170 pounds, Conor McGregor is batting 50 percent. He has only been there twice, he won one fight, he lost one fight both against Nate Diaz.”
“The point being Conor McGregor, who is striking heavy, who is not known for ground and pound, who is not known for submissions. On paper at least, has one way to win this fight which is to knock Donald Cerrone out,” he continued. “Conor doesn’t even do that well in fights that go to a decision. So, now to knock a guy out who by the way has an extra 15 pounds is significant. It is the biggest talking point of this fight.”
Sonnen went on to state that ‘Cowboy’ has more ways to win than McGregor, crediting the MMA veteran for his crafty submission game and world class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
“Conor is very awkward with his strikes, Donald Cerrone plays the same game. But, by the way, he’ll take you down and he’ll submit you,” Sonnen said. “Donald Cerrone has more ways to win this fight, I have to throw that out there. Even though the line has gotten significantly closer with the announcement of this being at welterweight, I still don’t think people are appreciating it.
“If Donald Cerrone can survive the first two and a half minutes, at least historically, his odds significantly rise should he can get one single takedown. The chances of him winning this fight significantly go up,” he concluded. “So yes when you are asking me if Conor made a miscalculation, I wouldn’t call it a mistake, but he now has two things against him. 170 and five rounds after a layoff.”
UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cerrone takes place next Saturday, Jan. 18 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.