There’s honestly not a lot of sense in the idea of a Urijah Faber vs. Conor McGregor matchup right now. Not that it’s a fight that seems to be in the works, but even as a potential future bout Faber and McGregor seem to be on somewhat different paths at the moment. But that doesn’t mean that there’s not some real heat in another potential matchup with a Team Alpha Male fighter, as Faber recently told Submission Radio in an interview.
Faber talked about the time he’s spent around McGregor lately and how it’s led to a few choice interactions between the brash Irishman and bantamweight champion TJ Dillsashaw:
“It’s funny ’cause Conor and I have been around each other and have an interesting relationship, but him and TJ on two different occasions have gotten into it with things escalating to, you know, them kind of bad mouthing each other. So there’s a little tension there as well and I think that’s a good fight the fans would love to see.”
“One time TJ and Conor and I in the back of the Ronda Rousey fight in LA, we were in just a private little bar with celebrities and the UFC brass and words were exchanged, and TJ was talking about Conor’s title shot and Conor went back and forth and they were getting on each other’s nerves, really. So I think they ended up having to be split up a little bit. And then when TJ was on the show [Submission Radio].”
Faber also gave his thoughts on just what he felt would be the strengths, weaknesses and chances for Dillashaw in a bout against McGregor:
“Oh of course he would have a shot. I mean here’s the honest truth, Conor McGregor is very good, TJ Dillashaw is very good. When you look at different factors, here’s something that’s for sure. Conor is a much bigger guy than TJ, TJ is a much faster guy than McGregor, and speed is an important thing. Conor’s not slow, but TJ is much smaller. He’s not a huge for the weight class, TJ. So on top of his striking ability and the ability to wrestle – ’cause he’s a lifetime wrestler. His Dad was an All-American wrestler, his brothers are wrestlers. TJ is a more well-rounded fighter. I mean the x-factor there again comes into the power. Conor is a big, big guy for the weight class, but I mean this is the era to be seeing fights like that. And as far as money goes and getting a fight that would really showcase TJ, I think that’s a great fight as well.”
And while Faber may not have gone all in on saying that Dillashaw would beat McGregor, he did sound pretty confident in his own chances, were he ever to get a shot at facing him in the cage saying that he feels his submission acumen could carry him to victory if he ever got the opportunity.
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