This Saturday, Aug 26, 2017, Conor McGregor will face the toughest test of his entire career as a professional fighter against boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr.
On Saturday, McGregor walks into the ring at the T-Mobile Arena in what will go down as one of the strangest but most lucrative combat sporting events in history. While the man who told us ‘anything is possible’ once again proved that he has an uncanny ability to bend life in his favor, the task of beating arguably the greatest boxer that has ever lived will require more than superstition or business acumen.
Should McGregor win, then it will go down as the greatest shock in combat sports history.
Conor McGregor is the King of the Unexpected
The Irishman has made a career off the back of his sublime fighting skills inside the cage and his brash, cocky demeanor outside of the fighting arena.
McGregor’s story is one of a dramatic and spectacular ascent from humble beginnings in the Dublin suburb of Crumlin. Having entered professional Mixed Martial Arts in 2008, the Irishman who would eventually become the most recognizable name in his sport and the biggest star in the history of the UFC.
Love him or hate him, you cannot escape the magnetism and energy of the 29-year-old UFC lightweight champion. Having used his silver tongue and razor-sharp wit as tools in themselves, McGregor somewhat talked his way into situations that his peers simply could not.
The undisputed king of trash talk backed up every assertion, prediction and goal that he set for himself, entering the record books in 2016 as the first fighter to reign over two separate weight classes in the UFC simultaneously. This was not enough for the ambitious and money-hungry Dubliner.
When “The Notorious” announced his intention to move into the squared circle against the greatest fighter in his era in Floyd Mayweather Jr., most laughed off the prospect as ludicrous and deluded.
In just two days, Mayweather and McGregor will go head to head in what looks set to be the most lucrative fight in the history of combat sports. Regardless of the outcome, McGregor will walk away with a $75 million check and no change to his MMA record. Not bad for a 29-year-old who was fighting in front of hundreds of people not much longer than four years ago.
However, things aren’t looking great for McGregor in terms of the fight. On the other hand, should he pull off the victory, then it would surely rank as the greatest upset in combat sports history.
What Chance Does Conor Have?
We rounded up 5 of the biggest shocks ever witnessed in combat sports history. What are McGregor’s chances of doing the same on Saturday?
While “Money” will presumably not be vying to knock the head off McGregor’s shoulders but rather toy with him before wearing him down and presumably stop him, the chances of McGregor pulling off a similar feat would be at least on par with Douglas’ victory.
If we take a look at some of the opponents Mayweather has not just beaten, but at times embarrassed, the case for a McGregor win looks drastically lighter. Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, “Sugar” Shane Mosely, Diego Corrales, Arturo Gatti (the list goes on and on).
Would McGregor have any hope inside the ropes against one of these fighters? Among this group are the names of Olympic champions, multiple weight title holders, and some of the greatest legends of the sport. Not one of them could beat Mayweather. The one thing that all men have in common that McGregor does not is that they are trained boxers.
McGregor is undoubtedly a good striker and exceptional in MMA but there is a massive difference between being able to throw shots and the art of boxing.
McGregor has a great opportunity to solidify his legend on Saturday night at a time when the majority of the world doubts him.
Should one completely dismiss his chances of victory outright, a man by the name of James Buster Douglas may set you straight!
