CONOR McGREGOR’S FOLLOWING has grown even bigger since last Saturday and a legendary MMA coach is one of his many fans.
Greg Jackson was very impressed by the Irish star as he overcame Chad Mendes to win the UFC’s interim featherweight title at UFC 189 in Las Vegas.
Jackson, who has trained UFC champions like Jon Jones, Georges St Pierre and Rashad Evans, spoke to Jonathan Shrager of MixedMartialArts.com following the victory.
“He [McGregor] really stepped up, performed well and answered a lot of questions,” said Jackson. “You’ve just got to respect the guy. He’s a modern Muhammad Ali.
“He talks to the guys right in the middle of [the fight] and he gets in their heads. It’s very impressive to watch.”
Jackson is not the first person to mention McGregor in the same breath a Ali, and while the comparison may be a bit excessive, such comments from someone of Jackson’s stature are an indication of the impact the 27-year-old Dubliner has had in the world of MMA.
Jackson was in Vegas over the weekend for the UFC 189/TUF 21 Finale double header, and he was also full of praise for the many Irish fans who made the trip.
“It’s a lot of fun to meet a lot of the Irish fans,” Jackson said. “They’re really full-on and I love it. They’re so passionate and they’re everything that I like about people. I got to meet a lot of them and make a lot of new friends, which I really enjoy.”
Better staying in a team where he gets game time and no pressure.
@Red Rooster: or show ambition and get a big move, playing under pressure week in week out and thriving.
@Red Rooster: I hope they can afford to keep for at least a season if not two before they sell him, but there’s no way they’ll keep him for 5 years if he kicks on this season.
@David: loads of time for that, remember he’s only 18
@David: r go to a big club get sweet f all mins. Thing don’t go right. Fickle fans on his back. He’s 18 and miles off a top club regular. Amazing talent and prospect but don’t get the Irish blinkers on he’s no where near ready for leading the line for a top side.
@David: Who’s to say he will start week in week out if he does as you said?
Ridiculous the amount of hype around Evan, he’s had one season in the Prem and not even starting for Brighton. Wait till he nails down his place and starts scoring double figure goals before he’s called a replacement for Harry Kane.
And then he broke out in a fit of laughter!