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Conor McGregor "Mistake" Ahead Of Donald Cerrone Fight Outlined

Conor McGregor "Mistake" Ahead Of Donald Cerrone Fight Outlined

The Irishman returns to action on January 18 at UFC 246.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Conor McGregor has made a "mistake" by agreeing to fight Donald Cerrone over five rounds at UFC 246 on his comeback, according to Chael Sonnen.

McGregor, 31, is set to return to the promotion for the first time since his defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018 when he faces 'Cowboy' on January 18.

Image: PA
Image: PA

He takes on the veteran American in a welterweight bout in Las Vegas which is scheduled for five rounds.

And former UFC middleweight title challenger Sonnen believes he has bitten off more than he can chew for doing so.

"One thing I thought got a little lost was that this is happening at welterweight and I think that is significant," he explained.

"As soon as that came out the line in Vegas dropped from Conor McGregor being a 1/5 favourite to a 1/2.5 favourite.

"At 170lb, Conor is batting at 50 per cent; he's fought there twice, won once and lost once, both against Nate Diaz.

"Conor McGregor, who is striking-heavy and not known for ground-and-pound or submission, has, on paper, one way to win this fight and that is to knock Donald Cerrone out.

"Conor doesn't even do very well when a fight goes to a decision - and now, to knock a guy out who has an extra 15lb is the biggest talking point of the fight.

"It definitely helps Cerrone; I wouldn't call it a mistake but here is the mistake - not only is at 170lb but it's a main event, You have a guy coming into a five-round fight who has openly admitted twice [that he gets fatigued].

"Now he's coming in after all this time off and he's walking into a main event for five rounds with a guy who likes to do what Conor does.

"Donald Cerrone has more ways to win this fight and people don't appreciate that if her can survive the first two-and-a-half minutes, his chances of winning this fight go up.

"Conor now has two things against him; 170lb and five rounds - after a lay-off."

A victory over Cerrone could punch his ticket to another shot at a UFC title with the Dublin star eyeing a clash against champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kamaru Usman.

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Topics: Donald Cerrone, Conor Mcgregor, UFC News, UFC 246, Fight News, UFC, MMA