Ask any mixed martial arts fan who they think has been Conor McGregor’s toughest opponent, and almost everyone will name Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, the former double champion himself has a different answer, as he doesn’t believe the Russian was the one who gave him the hardest time inside the Octagon. Instead, McGregor names former MMA fighter Chad Mendes.
Them elbows are no joke. Nor the upkicks: Conor McGregor recalls UFC 189 fight against Chad Mendes
Throughout his career, McGregor has been roughed up on the canvas quite a number of times. Aside from the dramatic UFC 229 encounter against Khabib, “The Notorious” has bitten the dust against Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirier.
However, in a now-deleted tweet, McGregor revealed that it was Chad Mendes who was the only fighter to put a scratch on him in the cage. The pair met in the main event of UFC 189 back on 11th July 2015 for the interim Featherweight title. McGregor won the fight via 2nd round TKO, but appreciated Mendes for his ground and pound game as well as his elbows and upkicks.
“Them elbows are no joke. Nor the upkicks. Everyone’s ground and pound is piss. Not a scratch has there ever been on me. Mendes only one. Fair play all the same; bare-knuckle Chad,” MrGregor’s tweet read. [H/T Bloody Elbow]
Mendes, currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), has reflected on the fight in the past as well. Back in July 2019, “Money” took to Instagram, four years after the McGregor fight to recall how exciting the fight was, as well as the inaugural walk-out songs, adding that its a fight that he will never forget.
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“What a crazy experience. Conor and Aldo were scheduled to fight, but due to a rib injury, Aldo was forced out of the fight. I got the call from Dana on 10 days’ notice and went straight from fishing mode into training mode. It was the first time the UFC had live performers for our walk-out songs. Sinead O’Connor sent Mcgregor out and my boy @aaronlewismusic sent me out with ‘country boy.’ Not sure where the last 4 years went but that’s definitely a fight I’ll never forget!”
What do you think of Conor McGregor naming Chad Mendes as the only fighter to be able to scratch him? Let us know in the comments.
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