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Conor McGregor Claimed Bruce Lee Could Have Been A 'World Champion In MMA'

Conor McGregor Claimed Bruce Lee Could Have Been A 'World Champion In MMA'

Conor McGregor previously took inspiration from Enter the Dragon star Bruce Lee ahead of his blockbuster showdown with Floyd Mayweather.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

UFC superstar Conor McGregor insisted there was "no doubt" in his mind that martial arts icon Bruce Lee could have been an MMA world champion.

The Hong Kong-American former star is widely celebrated in pop culture and served as an inspiration for the 31-year-old Irishman.

While one of Lee's real fights caught on camera showed his incredible potential, McGregor fully backed his martial arts hero to be a success in the MMA world.

But the 'Notorious' went one step further by claiming that Lee, real name Lee Jun-fan, would have been an MMA world champion.

"I have no doubt he would have been world champion in MMA, no doubt," McGregor said ahead of UFC Fight Night 37 in 2014.

"He's fluid, he's loose, he's fast. His movement is fluid, it's efficient, it's functional.

"So many guys are addicted to strength and conditioning, they just get bulked up and stiff and slow.

"Bruce was free, his body was nimble."

Alexander Gustafsson, who fought Jimi Manuwa on the Fight Night 37 card, also backed Lee to be a success in the UFC.

"If he would compete in UFC today, he would be as skilled as any UFC fighter with his talent," he said.

McGregor previously said that he took inspiration from Lee as part of his strategy against Floyd Mayweather in their 2017 blockbuster boxing fight.

"I will go in and dismantle [Mayweather] at his own game," he said during an appearance on Conan.

"That's what a true martial artist can do -- they can adapt under any circumstance.

"Bruce Lee said, 'Be like water.' When water enters a cup, it becomes the cup. That's the philosophy I have going into this contest.

"It doesn't matter what rule set or stipulations they try and put on me. I can adapt and overcome any situation."

Lee passed away in 1973 at the age of 32 from cerebral edema, which might have been caused by a reaction to prescription painkillers.

Featured Image Credit: UFC/PA

Topics: Conor Mcgregor, Notorious, UFC News, MMA News, UFC, MMA