5 reasons why Kamaru Usman vs. Conor McGregor may not be as one-sided as it seems
On paper, the matchup between Kamaru Usman and Conor McGregor seems to have a guaranteed outcome: a Kamaru Usman victory. While this is a likely outcome, it might not be as guaranteed a result as most assume.
The longstanding narrative of McGregor's deficiencies as a fighter revolves around his struggles against strong wrestlers. In particular, much has been made of his failure to become the first fighter to defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov. The difference, however, is that Khabib was not simply a wrestler; he was a dangerous submission threat from the top position.
Furthermore, while Usman has undergone drastic improvements as a striker, his gaping holes remain unaddressed. His specific approach to wrestling might also be ill-suited to someone with McGregor's skill-set. Conversely, McGregor's abilities as a striker are well-suited to Usman's jab-heavy striking style and lack of defensive striking.
Usman is currently scheduled for a bout with Leon Edwards at UFC 278. This list explores five reasons why Conor McGregor might be a tougher matchup than most expect if the two lock horns.
#5. Usman's wrestling style
Conor McGregor's takedown defense is much better than it is often given credit for. Waiting for him to square his hips as he commits to a punch, then ducking under said punch for a blast double-leg takedown has not been a reliable method of getting him to the ground since his bout with Chad Mendes years ago.
In the Irishman's historic bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov, he defended the initial string of takedowns well. Nurmagomedov dove for a low single-leg takedown, and McGregor exploded his hips back, overhooking Khabib's neck, dropping his upper-body weight on top of it, and snapping him down.
HARD elbow by Usman lands, followed by a HUGE takedown! @Usman84Kg is putting the pressure on here in round 2! #UFC235 https://t.co/cwiBtpPFH4
His initial line of defense worked, even allowing him to overhook Khabib's back to control his foe's upper body, forcing him to try turning in at an angle to finish the takedown. McGregor even defended that, pushing off of his rear leg. Khabib eventually secured a takedown, but his chain wrestling was crucial to his success. While Usman is also a chain wrestler, much of his work comes from body locks. Unfortunately, because clinching with McGregor requires safely closing the distance against him without being countered, Usman is more limited than he otherwise would be.
Due to the poor state of his knees, Usman does not attempt blast double-leg takedowns. He will have to close the distance against McGregor to get on the inside for a body lock, which will be difficult to do against a powerful counter-puncher.