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Jorge Masvidal, Jon Jones and Kamaru Usman Make Conor McGregor Vs Donald Cerrone Predictions

Jorge Masvidal, Jon Jones and Kamaru Usman Make Conor McGregor Vs Donald Cerrone Predictions

McGregor takes the step up to welterweight on his return to the octagon after over a year since his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Conor McGregor returns to action in less than a week when he takes on Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 and some of the biggest names in the sport have made their predictions.

The Irishman hasn't fought since his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018 but will fight 'Cowboy' Cerrone is Las Vegas on Saturday night.

It will be interesting to see if there's any ring rust and whether the Notorious can carry his knockout power up to welterweight.

BMF champ Masvidal could be next for McGregor, if he wins. Image: PA Images
BMF champ Masvidal could be next for McGregor, if he wins. Image: PA Images

BMF title winner Jorge Masvidal explained how the two fighters differ, "Conor's amazing off the blocks. I think he's got great timing. While guys are getting their timing, Conor's already coming in with the timing," he told Submission Radio.

"He already has their timing by the time you go to your timing. Good power, (and) good confidence in it. I would rank Conor one of the better starters of the sport. Donald, on the other hand, is more of a rhythm fighter. He takes a little bit to work at it. He puts his feints together, his movements, starts gauging speeds, see how fast, how strong they're throwing.

"So, he works on that, and he's like a rhythm fighter. So, with time he does a little bit better, and I think he's got a little bit better endurance than Conor as well. So, if Cowboy comes out and he's like a dual threat, it becomes more of a problem, (and) then I start to lean more to Cowboy. If he just comes out flat footed and he's in front of Conor, I heavily go towards Conor, man."

Speaking to BT Sport, light heavyweight champion Jon Jones revealed he's going for Cerrone saying, "Cowboy Cerrone and I have always had somewhat of a connection, and I am pulling for him."

"...And at the same time, Conor McGregor, I love everything that he is doing for the sport. Such a great businessman. And he's got so much awareness about the sport."

Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, who could potentially defend his title against the winner sometime in the future, is also backing the American, adding, "I see a lot of people riding Cowboy off like he is mister wash. Because he's won some and lost some. But Cowboy is a very dangerous fight for Conor. And you know I think in a bit of a Conor kind of underestimated him in a sense.

"I know Conor is a professional, and he's gonna come prepared, but you know he's underestimated an opponent before, and he paid for it. I think in a sense, he's kind of underestimated Cowboy. And you have seen before when you light a fire in Cowboy, he's gonna get going. So I think it's a good good good fight but I am expecting Cowboy to respond."

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is backing McGregor though, saying, "I will say Conor will take that one out. I think, look I have got a lot of respect for Cowboy, but I think it's a good match-up for Conor. I think Conor finds that chin."

We don't have long to find out who is right.

Will McGregor win his comeback fight?

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Topics: Donald Cerrone, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, Jon Jones, Jorge Masvidal, UFC News, UFC 246, Tony Ferguson, UFC, Kamaru Usman