Why does Conor fight at featherweight?

[Docile]

Because FW is a smaller division and thus easier to reach the title in, and once you're a champion, by aspiring for multiple belts you're always provided the spotlight and getting ahead of the struggling contenders of that heavier class.

Though I bet this is most likely too advanced a notion for you to comprehend.



Like here:

I never really understand these types of statements other than as ways to deflect legitimate criticism. Do you seriously, SERIOUSLY think that? He's cutting an asininely irregular amount of weight, almost 16% of his mass. Anthony Johnson used to cut like 19% for a comparison. That is reality. He was fighting at LW right before the UFC called him up and physically belongs there yet he specifically choose to avoid it. That is reality. Being at 145 gives him a distinct, unusually witnessed size advantage. That is reality.

Not many people have an actual problem with the concept of his fighting at FW, just the general lack of recognition that LW will almost definitely be more difficult for him to excel at and his specific avoidance of it, at least for the time being.

Typical case of a guy who just doesn't get it.

"being 145 gives him a distinct unusally witnessed size advantage" Could you be derping any harder? ... Let's put it like this. Are there any taller fighters at FW? Are there any thicker/wider fighters? Yes. Both exist. So what's the advantage Conor has? Being perfectly balanced? Come on man. If those skinny taller fighters put on some muscle they could be just as perfectly balanced at a higher weight. And if those shorter, wider fighters dropped some muscle they could be just as balanced as Conor at a lower weight.

How exactly is he unfairly advantaged?

 

[Italian Brock]

I've been thinking of dropping from 230 to 185 and see how that fares. But the fact of fighting people smaller than me makes me feel like a coward.. Plus, size matters lol

 

[Italian Brock]

For the record, id take Connor over cerrone at 155.. Cerrone is 6 ft tall wtf is he doing cutting to 155

 

[Zefram Cochrane]

I see what you did there

 

[dogen]

He always brags about how big he is for "those featherweights", but he is indeed, a featherweight. He believes he is big and is fighting smaller man. There always been great admiration for guys that beat larger men, ala Fedor, Edgar, BJ, etc, and harsh critique against oversized, same-weight class fighters, ala Jones. Question is, if he himself states he's too big, but proclaim is the best, why doesn't he man up and stop fighting at 145? Are his skills more a reflexion of him proving against lesser opponents sizewise? I'd like to see how he fares against a 155'er rehydrated at night fight.

According to McGregor's public words he is just warming up, obliterating the smaller division for fun and taking a first belt for his legacy.
He said he'll move up for the second belt: whether we like it or not, at the moment Conor's propaganda logic is still coherent.

[YT]watch?v=Z60MIiQrCS4[/YT]

 

[campbecc]

But why bragging about fighting smaller men? Any alpha will keep shut about those details

alpha? I thought he was a grown man not a preteen boy?

He said he was bigger than Aldo to try to sell he can beat someone so much more well rounded than himself. He knows his only chance is if Aldo decides to trade with him (which is likely, despite the fact a BJJ phenom like Aldo submits Conor easily if he tries) and then he catches Aldo with punch so devastating Aldo can't submit him as soon as the fight hits the ground.

Conor has a chance as long as Aldo stands with him (which he probably will); but if you bet on Conor you are basically betting on a one punch knockout. If Conor starts hurting Aldo, Jose will use his grappling to make Conor look like an amateur.

 

[Docile]

alpha? I thought he was a grown man not a preteen boy?

He said he was bigger than Aldo to try to sell he can beat someone so much more well rounded than himself. He knows his only chance is if Aldo decides to trade with him (which is likely, despite the fact a BJJ phenom like Aldo submits Conor easily if he tries) and then he catches Aldo with punch so devastating Aldo can't submit him as soon as the fight hits the ground.

Conor has a chance as long as Aldo stands with him (which he probably will); but if you bet on Conor you are basically betting on a one punch knockout. If Conor starts hurting Aldo, Jose will use his grappling to make Conor look like an amateur.

Isn't that exactly what Mendes was trying?

What is making you think Aldos desperate double leg will be any more effective than Mendes'?

Even when you have superior BJJ technique it is very difficult to force a submission in a match with no-gi. And in the latter rounds, even to hold position.

 

[Cro Cop Is Back]

Conor has repeatedly said he wants to win the 145 and 155 belts and hold them simultaneously, as he did in Cage Warriors. He isn't ducking anything or anyone. Once he's fighting at LW the same people that say he's ducking 155 now will be saying he's ducking 170.

Word.

 

[Polar Bears]

should fighter higher

 

[campbecc]

Isn't that exactly what Mendes was trying?

What is making you think Aldos desperate double leg will be any more effective than Mendes'?

Even when you have superior BJJ technique it is very difficult to force a submission in a match with no-gi. And in the latter rounds, even to hold position.

First of all Aldo's striking game is way more diverse and the best 145 has ever seen despite the fact he is a world class grappler. second he won't be coming in to the fight on a few weeks notice and won't tire out in two rounds. Third, you do know Aldo has beaten in shape full camp Mendes twice?

 

[Ar145984]

Conor has a reach, strengh, and size advantage at Featherweight.
It's pretty impressive how Gunnar is the same size as Conor and he fights two weight classes above.

Conor is 5'9, Gunner is 5'11.

The only thing Conor has is an abormal reach for his size which may give him an advantage. He has 74' in reach i believe.

 

[Russie]

He could make it so why not? In his mind he could make it and win in division. From there it's no problem moving up which he plans to do. We see in MMA and in boxing guys get into at lighter weights and move up as they they age and bodies mature or as they finish their business in their division.

 

[mma_genius]

He always brags about how big he is for "those featherweights", but he is indeed, a featherweight. He believes he is big and is fighting smaller man. There always been great admiration for guys that beat larger men, ala Fedor, Edgar, BJ, etc, and harsh critique against oversized, same-weight class fighters, ala Jones. Question is, if he himself states he's too big, but proclaim is the best, why doesn't he man up and stop fighting at 145? Are his skills more a reflexion of him proving against lesser opponents sizewise? I'd like to see how he fares against a 155'er rehydrated at night fight.

1. Because he can make 145. He does not have to cater to your whims regarding what weight he fights at.

2. Because he can perform at a high level at 145.

3. Because wins are easier for him at 145, and the more he wins the more money he makes and less damage he takes.

4. Did you make the exact same thread about Jon Jones, Chris Weidman & Robbie Lawler?

 

[BenRichards]

That's where the UFC told him they would like him at.

For the people with the attention spans of goldfish, this. Ufc needs him 145 and will probably try and keep him there for awhile.

 

[Velkar182]

Why does Conor fight at featherweight?

Mooney.

 

[Docile]

First of all Aldo's striking game is way more diverse and the best 145 has ever seen despite the fact he is a world class grappler. second he won't be coming in to the fight on a few weeks notice and won't tire out in two rounds. Third, you do know Aldo has beaten in shape full camp Mendes twice?

Yes, I agree, but we both know that he doesn't have the concussive power in his hands, and has had trouble finishing lesser strikers than Conor.

That makes Conor the more potent finisher. Despite Aldo overall having more defensive skill, if Conor has 5 rounds to make his power work, which he will, with a chin like that and in his physical prime. And yes, he may have beaten Mendes but he didn't do it wrestling. So my point stands.

If Mendes gets hurt standing and goes for takedowns but can't get it, what makes you think Aldo can?

I'm just saying I don't think Aldo could submit Conor with the ease you suggest, if they start out striking.

 

[FreCan]

He has to to compensate for his lack of skills.

He gets hit a lot but gets away with it because his opponents are smaller. His ground game is lacking but he's able to tire out his opponents on the ground by being bigger.

I expect he retires rather than moves up a weight class. If he doesn't breaking the top 10 should be an accomplishment.

 

[Ladder Master]

Any other questions?

Can you name the only putz in that picture that is trying way too hard to look cool.

 

[AMST Vallon]

Sherdog acting like Conor is the only fighter that cuts weight to fight in a division

 

[supra57]

Fighting people smaller than you isnt honorable rousey does it jones does it conor does it weidman and rockhold do it and it sucks. Gotta find someway to cheat tho