Chael Sonnen: Conor McGregor Mentally Cracked Against Nate Diaz
Former UFC title contender and now working as an analyst for ESPN, Chael Sonnen is known to say what’s on his mind in any situation. Following Conor Mcgregor’s loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, Sonnen has an opinion of what went wrong for the Irish superstar.
Sonnen believes that McGregor mentally cracked just like Mike Tyson did in his fight with Evander Holyfield.
“From a historical standpoint — mentally — Conor McGregor fell apart,” Sonnen said on the ESPN post-fight coverage. “He cracked. It was just like watching Mike Tyson fold against Evander Holyfield and all the guys that have come before and after. Listen, when you stand up to a bully, he will fade every time. Conor McGregor is a bully. Now, that’s the mental side.”
Sonnen did praise for McGregor fighting a good fight but blames McGregor’s defeat on the weight difference. As seen in the fight, Diaz was bigger than McGregor. Keep in mind that McGregor usually fights at 145lb while Diaz fights at 155lb.
“Physically, Conor fought a great fight,” he said. “He landed some fantastic combinations. The problem was Nate Diaz was too big. When Conor landed those shots, Nate didn’t go away. Eventually Conor began to fatigue and he began to take punches himself. Forget the rear-naked choke, forget the takedown. This was about fatigue, exhaustion and Conor McGregor, mentally, needed out.”
McGregor is expected to return to featherweight and make his first title defense at UFC 200.
