dos Anjos vs. McGregor

This is the official discussion thread for dos Anjos vs. McGregor. Let's see what you've got.

"Gods recognize gods" 
The Notorious one lmao 

Cowboy returned shortly after his beating so Conor should also for UFC 200.

people are seriously in favour of McGregor for this fight? I guess the whole UFC/McGregor marketing really does wonders. RDA walks around close to 198 lbs (he said that himself on an interview to Canal Combate) and is soon moving to WW. 

My prediction is that RDA takes McGregor down easily at the beginning of each round and destroys McGregor.

RDA's moving to welterweight according to who? Himself? Kinda doubt that happens personally.

@PillaryChoke yes, according to him. check it out, google is your friend.

I'll believe it when I see it. He gives up a lot of height and reach to most at welterweight and never seems to have had much of a problem with his lightweight cut.

Can't wait until March 5th.

apparently Conor is now aming for the WW belt.  perhaps someone slipped him some shrooms on his lucky charms this morning

@Vazio: Where did you see RDA considering a move to 170? I haven't heard that. 

As for the fight, I could easily see your prediction coming true and this one looking a lot like RDA-Pettis. 

However, McGregor's got more power than Pettis IMO, especially in his hands, and he's damn accurate. He's certainly capable of shutting RDA's lights out, but will be interesting to see if he can deal with the wrestling and top control. Mendes is a better pure wrestler than RDA, but his top game and overall size is nothing compared to him. 

"perhaps someone slipped him some shrooms on his lucky charms this morning"         - legacyofmisfortune 

@skelli http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/6/3/8717911/ufc-champ-rafael-dos-anjos-plans-move-to-welterweight-ufc-mma-news

* Edited at 01.22.2016, 1:26 AM ET *

Werdum and RDA will make this either the greatest or worst year for Kings MMA.

I don't know about McGregor at 170. The more I think about it the more I like the idea of there being a 165 and 175 division, and just abandoning the 170 division all together. Having 15lbs differences between weight classes at that size doesn't make sense to me.

@unbeknownst  

It is flat out greed, 100%. McGregor's biggest challenge stands right before him at FW, the man who's been calling him out all along (you know, the one who deserves it). Nevertheless, I almost hope Conor beats RDA because Frankie's got a bead on him and fire in his eyes. To see Edgar return to LW and take the 155lb strap from McGregor--exposure will never be sweeter.

He will lose to RDA and then Edgar but will walk away with a lot of money.

@vazio, not everyone picking Conor over RDA is doing so on account of the UFC marleting machine. RDA lunges more than Aldo when he strikes and Conor's footwork and lateral movement as opposed to Pettis and Cerrone's complete lack of it give him a better chance of not getting pushed against the fence. I don't see RDA being able to handle too many Conor strikes just because he's a bigger guy and I doo see how those strikes are going to land.

I do agree however, that it'll be ... let's say challenging ... for Conor when they are against the fence and if/when RDA does get Conor down, but I'm pretty sure with how aggressive and open RDA is that Conor will have all he needs to end the fight.

Not saying easy fight, but I don't think it's that hard to see what Conor brings to this fight nor am I doing so because the UFC have "convinced me Conor is a god". I haven't bought into a UFC promo since forever. It's just the way I see their styles clash. I can see this fight going either way, depending on how Conor lands in the first round. The longer the fight is, the more "top time" RDA will have and the less sting Conor will have. Footwork won't keep you on your feet for the whole 25 and I find it hard to see Conor shaking RDA off him for more than one or two "sessions".

Not everyone who likes Conor is a bandwagoner "believeing the hype", behind all the bells and whisltles you have to admit he's also a pretty unique and spectacular fighter.

@yoss don't take it too personally, brah. I never said Conor isn't a spectacular fighter, nor he didn't stand a chance to win. I was just impressed by how most people in Tap are picking Conor over RDA. even if you personally don't "belive the hype" you gotta admit that it has an impact on these numbers.

^^^ Good points, Vazio. 

Honestly, I'm a big believer in Conor, but it reminds me a bit of BJ Penn fans during his heyday.

He is an amazing fighter, but sometimes the narrative spun by Penn's fan base clashed with reality and really put me off regarding HOW good he actually was. 

Conor is great, but he's got weaknesses. I don't pretend those don't exist like some of his fans (many) do. 

For years, I was a Penn hater, until I realized I didn't hate Penn, but rather the vocal fanbase he had.

Yes, a lot of people think he is unstoppable despite him getting dominated by Mendes (on 2 weeks notice) and his road to Aldo was easier than most would be. Dana even tried to make people think that Siver was a reason to give him a shot. All you have to do is look back at his Porker fight and how they put Conor into a 7 K a night hotel before that fight. Do you do that a guy who hsd only beat Brandao?They wanted him to be champ from almost the beginning. If you bring up the torn ACL with Mendes then you have to ask on whether it was an excuse or if Conor was dumb to not drop out.

* Edited at 01.23.2016, 6:32 PM ET *