Conor McGregor on P4P Rankings: I’m No. 1, Not Jones

Despite being stripped of his long-held UFC light heavyweight title last April, Jon “Bones” Jones remains atop the pound-for-pound rankings list. Behind Jones lies dominant flyweight kingpin Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, a man who has defended his title seven straight times, running a demolition course through the 125-pound weight class. While these two men certainly

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Despite being stripped of his long-held UFC light heavyweight title last April, Jon “Bones” Jones remains atop the pound-for-pound rankings list.

Behind Jones lies dominant flyweight kingpin Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, a man who has defended his title seven straight times, running a demolition course through the 125-pound weight class.

While these two men certainly deserve their spots, one fighter actually disagrees with the top of the latter, and I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear that it’s none other than reigning featherweight champion Conor McGregor.

McGregor, who meets Nate Diaz in a welterweight showdown at this Saturday’s (March 5, 2016) UFC 196, recently spoke on the rankings, making it very clear where he feels that he stands:

“He’s not,” McGregor responded when asked if Jon Jones is the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA during a media scrum yesterday. “I’m No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and maybe Jon and “Mighty Mouse” (Demetrious Johnson) is 10. That’s what I feel.”

The brash and outspoken Irishman was originally scheduled to meet lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos this weekend, and will now move up two whole weight classes to face off with Diaz.

Constantly saying that weight doesn’t matter, McGregor took another jab at Jones as well as heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, saying that no other fighter takes risks like he does:

“Fabricio (Werdum) pulled out and threw cards down the water. Jon (Jones) pulled out and threw cards down the water,” McGregor said.

“Nobody was willing to step up or down. I can’t answer that. You play it safe. You don’t take risks. You won’t go all the way. I get in, I take risks and that’s why I go all the way.”

Do you think McGregor has earned the top spot, or is this just coming from his ever so evident confidence?

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Five Reasons Conor McGregor Will Destroy Nate Diaz

The buzz and anticipation is about to reach an all-time high for this weekend’s (Sat., March 5, 2016) UFC 196 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Featherweight champ Conor McGregor will face off with popular, enigmatic veteran Nate Diaz at welterweight, moving up an unprecedented two weight classes for the short

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The buzz and anticipation is about to reach an all-time high for this weekend’s (Sat., March 5, 2016) UFC 196 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Featherweight champ Conor McGregor will face off with popular, enigmatic veteran Nate Diaz at welterweight, moving up an unprecedented two weight classes for the short notice bout that may even be more buzz-worthy and awaited than his original fight on the card, a lightweight title bout against injured 155-pound champ Rafael dos Anjos.

Having added what appears to be a massive amount of muscle onto his 5’9” frame to face dos Anjos, oddsmakers have McGregor as around a substantial -400 favorite (depending on which site you bet on). While Diaz’ size, skills, and experience no doubt lead to some distinct ways for him to win that we detailed yesterday, there are some clear factors that also suggest McGregor is going to pick up the emphatic win the odds are predicting.

Let’s take a look at the biggest reasons McGregor will destroy Diaz at UFC 196.

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UFC 196 Pre-Fight Press Conference Live At 4 P.M. EST

The time is almost here with two short days remaining until featherweight champion Conor McGregor meets outspoken slugger Nate Diaz in the main event of this weekend’s (Sat., March 5, 2016) blockbuster UFC 196 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. As expected, thee impromptu rivalry has generated some unique and quotable

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The time is almost here with two short days remaining until featherweight champion Conor McGregor meets outspoken slugger Nate Diaz in the main event of this weekend’s (Sat., March 5, 2016) blockbuster UFC 196 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As expected, thee impromptu rivalry has generated some unique and quotable trash talk gems in the media, and the UFC will understandably look to continue that hype and buzz when the two polar opposite wordsmiths take to the mic in today’s pre-fight press conference.

Join us for all of the action starting at 4 p.m. EST:

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Nate Diaz Reacts To Conor McGregor: He Wouldn’t Have Made It In Stockton

Nate Diaz appears to be calm and focused despite being only two days out from by far the biggest fight of his lengthy MMA career when he meets Conor McGregor in the main event of Saturday’s (March 5, 2016) UFC 196 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite is reputation as

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Nate Diaz appears to be calm and focused despite being only two days out from by far the biggest fight of his lengthy MMA career when he meets Conor McGregor in the main event of Saturday’s (March 5, 2016) UFC 196 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Despite is reputation as one of the more vocal trash-talking fighters in the sport for many years, Diaz has chosen to spew precious little venom in the way of the loud and brash game of ‘Notorious.’ He’s already been made the victim of a few barbs centering on his tough Stockton, California roots at last week’s presser in Torrance, but on the third episode of UFC 196: Embedded, Diaz seemed to blow off McGregor’s insults, instead focusing on his belief that McGregor wouldn’t have made it in Stockton:

“He was doing his thing at the press conference, and he’s going to bust me out and call me a ‘Cholo,’ but that’s that the background where I come from; you know, it’s that hardcore where I live. If he woulda came from where I come from, he wouldn’t have made it, man. Nobody makes it out of where we come from, and you don’t know what I’ve been through.”

Diaz continued on to note that one statement did get to him, however, the one where McGregor poked fun of him teaching jiu-jitsu seminars to youth to increase the reach of martial arts in his community. Diaz deemed that a reach, saying that it wasn’t based in logic and may have been rehearsed:

“I come from a long lineage of hard-working top-ranked MMA fghters, top-ranked Jiu-jitsu competitors, and then as far as teaching jiu-jitsu, yeah I do seminars. I try to push martial arts out there, inspire people. That’s the only thing that kind of irritated me. There was no logic. It was kind of uncalled for. It seemed real rehearsed, like he was plotting on trying to make a fool out of me or something.”

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Free Fight: Relive McGregor vs. Brandao Before UFC 196

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Conor McGregor  headlined a UFC fight card for the first time ever when he fought Diego Brandao back in 2014 in just his 3rd fight inside the Octagon. What was better for McGregor was that he got to fight in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland.

Diego Brandao, at the time, had won three of his last four fights. Like Nate Diaz, Brandao is known to be a fighter who is extremely aggressive and will exchange shots in the pocket. However, McGregor used his distance against Brandao and dictated most of the fight. Watch below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFN_eWUpv_U

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Conor McGregor  headlined a UFC fight card for the first time ever when he fought Diego Brandao back in 2014 in just his 3rd fight inside the Octagon. What was better for McGregor was that he got to fight in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland.

Diego Brandao, at the time, had won three of his last four fights. Like Nate Diaz, Brandao is known to be a fighter who is extremely aggressive and will exchange shots in the pocket. However, McGregor used his distance against Brandao and dictated most of the fight. Watch below!

Kenny Florian Sees Plenty Of Advantages For Nate Diaz Vs. Conor McGregor

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While many believe Conor McGregor will run right through Nate Diaz this coming Saturday night at UFC 196, former title contender Kenny Florian believes the underdog has a strong shot at the upset.

Florian, a co-host on “UFC Tonight,” offered up his thoughts on the main event during a recent edition of the program.

“The Diaz brothers are always training and in shape. Nate’s got a longer reach than Conor and Conor hasn’t faced someone like that before,” Florian said. “Nate’s a big lightweight. He’s got a bigger frame and an excellent chin. He’s got the advantage on the ground.”

Diaz replaced UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the headline fight from Las Vegas and MGM Grand Garden Arena less than two weeks ago. The 30-year-old returned in December from a year-long layoff and bested Michael Johnson, improving to 4-3 over his last seven fights.

McGregor, meanwhile, is the reigning UFC featherweight champion. He has agreed to take his main event fight at 170 pounds, entering new territory for “Notorious.”

“Conor will have speed advantage. Nate not known for his kicking game, but Conor is,” Florian added. “With Nate’s southpaw stance and his front leg out there, Conor will kick out that lead leg and he’ll also use spinning attacks. He has to get inside, vary his attacks and defend the takedown. He doesn’t want to be on the ground with a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt like Nate.”

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While many believe Conor McGregor will run right through Nate Diaz this coming Saturday night at UFC 196, former title contender Kenny Florian believes the underdog has a strong shot at the upset.

Florian, a co-host on “UFC Tonight,” offered up his thoughts on the main event during a recent edition of the program.

“The Diaz brothers are always training and in shape. Nate’s got a longer reach than Conor and Conor hasn’t faced someone like that before,” Florian said. “Nate’s a big lightweight. He’s got a bigger frame and an excellent chin. He’s got the advantage on the ground.”

Diaz replaced UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the headline fight from Las Vegas and MGM Grand Garden Arena less than two weeks ago. The 30-year-old returned in December from a year-long layoff and bested Michael Johnson, improving to 4-3 over his last seven fights.

McGregor, meanwhile, is the reigning UFC featherweight champion. He has agreed to take his main event fight at 170 pounds, entering new territory for “Notorious.”

“Conor will have speed advantage. Nate not known for his kicking game, but Conor is,” Florian added. “With Nate’s southpaw stance and his front leg out there, Conor will kick out that lead leg and he’ll also use spinning attacks. He has to get inside, vary his attacks and defend the takedown. He doesn’t want to be on the ground with a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt like Nate.”