UFC
Conor McGregor's coach thinks he's a bad stylistic matchup as a southpaw for Champ Jose Aldo
Oct 29, 2014 - 12:05:27 PM Conor McGregor's coach thinks he's a bad stylistic matchup as a southpaw for Champ Jose Aldo

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"Jose Aldo is the best and cleanest striker. But I do think Conor is a bad stylistic matchup for Aldo, though. Conor is a southpaw. I'm sure Aldo still has nightmares about throwing that hard leg kick on the southpaw Korean Zombie [Chan Sung Jung]. Right away one of his main weapons is going to be gone. Also, when he's facing wrestlers he's the bogeyman. They are so afraid of his striking they shoot from far away. And then it's a pretty easy takedown defence. His takedown defence is good, there's no doubt about it, but it's not that hard to deal with a shot when someone shoots from the other side of the cage. That's just because they're so worried about getting in to range with him. He's not going to have that advantage with Conor... Ultimately, I believe Conor poses too many problems in too many areas for these guys. It's something I say to him when we're walking out. 'We have too many weapons here.' Conor is a 21st century soldier with a rifle that can pick someone off a mile away. These guys are standing in the field with a two-by-four with a rusty nail sticking out of it."

-Conor McGregor's coach John Kavanagh talks to The Telegraph about how McGregor matches up against Jose Aldo and why he's too much for the field.

Penick's Analysis: It's worth a look back at any Aldo matchups against southpaws to get a better sense of how he reacted to them, but it's true that it presents a very different challenge than orthodox fighters. McGregor does have a very well rounded game, but he's certainly showcased more in his striking than anything else in the UFC thus far. Aldo has shown he can adjust to an aggressive striker and put out a higher level attack, and that may be what he has to do again if he fights McGregor next. It's intriguing at any rate.