Conor McGregor vs Khabib: GSP coach reveals why fight will be a one-sided blowout
CONOR MCGREGOR’s grudge match with Khabib Nurmagomedov won’t be a back-and-forth affair, according to renowned mixed martial arts coach Firas Zahabi.
McGregor will look to end Nurmagomedov’s reign as lightweight champion early on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 229.
The pair’s contrasting styles has been a huge talking point following the announcement of the bout, with many split over who will edge the biggest fight in UFC history.
Nurmagomedov’s immense grappling has helped him seen off a staggering 26 opponents, while McGregor’s deadly striking - in particular his piston-like left hand - has stopped 23 of his opponents.
Zahabi believes the pair’s respective skillsets won’t make for a closely-contested bout and that one man will impose their will on the other for however long the fight lasts.
“What I’m doubting, what I don’t see very likely is a seesaw battle,” Zahabi said of the UFC 229 main event a recent live chat.
“Where there’s a lot of stand up, then they hit the ground, then they get back up, and they’re striking and they’re wrestling, and it’s a back-and-forth battle where it’s coming down the last round — that, I don’t see.
“I don’t see a very competitive fight even though these two fighters are great phenomal competitors.
“The only reason I don’t see it that way is not because one fighter is more skilled than the other. No, far from it.
“The only reason I do see it this way — a one-sided victory — it’s purely because of their styles. McGregor’s style is completely opposite to Khabib’s.”
McGregor is confident his long-awaited return to the Octagon will end with him having his hand raised and has predicted yet another stoppage victory.
"Devastating KO," said Ireland's first UFC belt holder after his open workout on Wednesday night. "He's too easy to hit. Too flat-footed and too predictable. I'm gonna knock him clean out.
"I'm gonna come out the gate fast. I don't give a f*** about anything – any wrestling, any technique, any anything. I'm coming for that man's head from the f****** bell. Trust me on that."
UFC 229 Fight Card
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Conor McGregor (lightweight title fight)
Tony Ferguson vs Anthony Pettis (lightweight bout)
Ovince Saint Preux vs Dominick Reyes (light-heavyweight bout)
Derrick Lewis vs Alexander Volkov (heavyweight bout)
Michelle Waterson vs Felice Herring (women’s strawweight bout)
Prelims
Sergio Pettis vs Jussier Formica (men’s flyweight bout)
Scott Holtzman vs Alan Patrick (lightweight bout)
Ryan LaFlare vs Tony Martin (welterweight bout)
Lina Lansberg vs Yana Kunitskaya (women’s bantamweight bout)
Gray Maynard vs Nik Lentz (lightweight bout)
Aspen Ladd vs Tonya Evinger (women's bantamweight bout)