Three ways in which McGregor can beat Mayweather

Dubliner can do the unthinkable

Since the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight was mooted more than 18 months ago, many snorted in derision at the idea that the Irishman would even land a punch.

Fast-forward a year-and-a-half and those same doom-mongers have dissipated greatly.

With the fight just days away now, many in the media are speculating not just about McGregor landing, but McGregor winning.

As Irish sportswriter, Vincent Hogan succinctly put it: “Anyone swinging windmills has a chance” – he’s pretty much nailed it, there.

The Dubliner has a chance – a thin one – but a chance no-less. How can he win, though?

Well, the Coral News Team has looked at three possible ways.

Relentless energy

It’s simply not going to be enough for the ‘Notorious’ to sit back in the pocket against Mayweather like he would in MMA bouts.

McGregor’s counter-punching is pretty much peerless in the UFC. His famous snapped-left is like a streak of lightning followed by rolling thunder.

He won’t be able to utilise it in this fight, though, if he doesn’t rush the American relentlessly, causing potential mistakes in Mayweather’s defence.

To do so, his cardio will have to be at its peak, so the world waits with baited breath to see if he’s got the gas.

Rough him early

The opening rounds are imperative for the Crumlin native. If he’s going to have any chance of winning, he’s got to do damage quickly.

Mayweather has never fought an MMA specialist before and McGregor can use that to his advantage in the clinch. He’s the bigger, more powerful man and will need to apply physical pressure. In essence, play dirty.

Ironically, the last person to cause Mayweather harm in the ring was little-known Irishman, Robert Gorman. The story goes that the Dubliner left the undefeated ‘Money’ in a crumpled heap through vicious body shots after a sparring session back in 2009.

If the UFC star can get in close and use his power, it’s feasible he could get some big shots off. Whether they land is a different story.

Own worst enemy

The idea that Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather could lose his undefeated 49-0 record to an MMA fighter making his professional debut is simply laughable.

And that creates its own kind of pressure – a pressure that he’s never had to face before. Is it possible he could suffer from complacency?

In the build-up to the fight, training footage from the American’s camp has been practically non-existent. Is this a ruse, or is he just not taking McGregor seriously?

In reality, the only person that can beat Mayweather at this juncture is Mayweather himself. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

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