Conor McGregor has called for MMA officials to begin to penalise fighters who utilise the cage too much in their game plans.
The legendary two-weight world champion made the intriguing rule suggestion after watching his original UFC rival Jose Aldo slump to a split decision loss to Mario Bautista at UFC 307 on Saturday night. The Brazilian struggled with his younger rival’s pace, and lost 29-28 on two scorecards.
But McGregor feels that if fighters continuously bring opponents to the same spot in failed attempts at takedowns, they should be given less time to hold the position with limited action. And if that rule were implemented in Aldo’s fight, he feels his old enemy would have won.
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Conor McGregor wants new ‘McGregor clock’ rule implemented after Jose Aldo loses split decision
After watching his one-time fiercest rival Jose Aldo compete on Saturday night, Conor McGregor was clearly excited by the possibilities that veterans still have in the UFC. He has just celebrated his 36th birthday, and after three years out is still confident of a successful octagon return next year.
But he was outraged as Mario Bautista took the decision to move to the top 10 at bantamweight after slowing his rival down with grappling attempts later in the fight. McGregor believes that a position which fails to make an impact but is still regularly used to eat into the clock should be penalised.
“As referee, if the fighters go to the same place of [stall] over and over I would be putting the position on a clock,” he wrote to his 10million+ fans on X, formerly Twitter. “And each time they end back there the clock goes shorter.
“30 second clock. 20 second clock, 10 second, 8 second, 6 second etc etc etc Separate, seperate, separate. No point prolonging these positions as if they haven’t taken place exactly the same way prior and nothing has taken place but stawling. My opinion.”
When one fan noted that failing to land a takedown will still score you for ‘effective grappling with judges, McGregor noted that his rule change would stop such activity. “It’s bad form but an easy fix!” He wrote. “Referees need to implement the ‘McGregor Clock’ method. Check my tweets here on this.
“Also it wasn’t failed takedowns it was direct stawling he said it post interview. People jiggling a little bit is to keep the referee from stepping in. REFEREES NEED TO BE ON POINT HERE. For the fans! #TheMcGregorClock #EndStawlingQuicker.
“Some refs won’t like I named that clock after myself but whatever, call it what ya’s want. But implement it! Dana [White, UFC CEO who does not dictate the rules of the sport], say it to them.”
Conor McGregor wants Jose Aldo to get another shot at UFC bantamweight gold
While watching the fight, McGregor made note of Aldo’s legendary status. And he claimed that the UFC should be pushing to make a fight between he and current bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili for a future event.
Aldo was famously the first and only featherweight champion in the UFC after they bought out the WEC, with McGregor taking the title from him after years on top in 2015 at UFC 194. That night, he knocked out the Brazilian in a 13-second stunner that changed the course of MMA history.
Since then, Aldo reclaimed the 145lb belt when McGregor was moving up to lightweight and even temporarily into boxing. He then moved down to 135lb after losing the title, and made a number of runs for a second belt before retiring for a brief stint and returning this year.
“One of our true all time greats!” McGregor wrote after watching his old rival compete at the top level decades after his debut. “I made my name off Jose. Aldo vs Merab for two weight champion status would be something to behold! Motivation! I hope it stays. Must implement discipline!”
But he was horrified by the decision, lashing out at the call from the judges and writing: “Rogan said the judges weren’t even looking. That was Jose’s story. Bulls*** decision.
“He has just said he was shooting in just to hold him against the fence. That’s not good enough. Referees need to step in here. This sport is the fans sport. Remember this and act accordingly referees, going forward, thank you.
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