STEVE COLLINS HAS paid Conor McGregor a big compliment ahead of the UFC superstar’s next outing in 13 days’ time.
McGregor, the reigning UFC featherweight champion, will aim to clinch the lightweight title too when he faces current title-holder Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 196 in Las Vegas on Saturday week.
Holding two UFC belts at the same time is something that has never been done before, but Collins did achieve a similar feat in boxing. ‘The Celtic Warrior’ was the WBO middleweight champion when he moved up to super-middleweight and dethroned Chris Eubank at the Green Glens Arena in Cork in 1995.
In an interview with Irish MMA journalist Peter Carroll for Fightland, Collins admitted to being a huge admirer of McGregor, who moved to mixed martial arts in 2006 after laying his foundations in amateur boxing.
“He’ll definitely be remembered as one of the greatest fighters this country has produced. In fact, I already think he’s the greatest fighter Ireland has produced,” Collins said.
“He’s a savage once he steps in to fight, but he’s a complete gentleman outside of the ring. That’s it. He’s going to be a double-weight world champion, without a doubt.”
Collins visited McGregor at Straight Blast Gym in Dublin on Tuesday night, as the 27-year-old winds down his preparations for a fight in which he’ll be aiming to make UFC history by winning another title when he bulks up to the 155lbs weight-class from 145lbs — something he achieved with the Cage Warriors promotion before joining the UFC.
McGregor ended Jose Aldo’s 10-year unbeaten run in December when he knocked the former UFC featherweight champion out after just 13 seconds of their bout at UFC 194 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“I’ve met Conor a few times, but when I visited him ahead of this fight I was very impressed with his mindset. His preparation has obviously gone really well,” said Collins.
“He looks like a total powerhouse. I’m expecting to see an even better fighter than we saw in his last fight. I really feel like that extra weight is going to be a massive advantage to him.”
Collins added: “Not only will he be stronger, but he will have more stamina too. I think he’s going to need that stamina too because this guy he’s facing is a very good grappler.
“He’s going to be trying to wear Conor down and use up his energy. I can see that extra weight helping him if he gets into those kinds of situations.”
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