Is Conor McGregor Overrated as a Fighter? Analyzing His Skills and Career
Conor McGregor is often discussed in terms of his raw talent, talk, and business acumen. However, his true abilities as a fighter can be questioned. This article will delve into his skills, recent rankings, and performance over time, to address whether he is indeed overrated as a fighter.
The Myth of Overrated Striker
McGregor is renowned for his striking prowess, but how does his performance stack up?
Striking: 9/10 - With an incredible reach and precise techniques, McGregor was undoubtedly one of the best strikers of his time. His accuracy, timing, and movement techniques made him a formidable fighter. However, his wrestling and submission skills were significantly weaker.
Wrestling and Submission Skills
McGregor's wrestling and submission skills were much less impressive than his striking. Here's a breakdown:
Wrestling: 4/10 - His wrestling was notably poor, but he was able to defend himself competently at times. His defensive skills were better than his offensive ones.
Submission: 1/10 - McGregor seldom opted for submissions and was very poor at executing them. He preferred to keep the fight standing.
Defensive Skills
Defence: 6/10 - While he could defend himself standing, he was vulnerable on the ground, where he was forced to rely on his defense rather than his offense.
Recent Consensus and Rankings
Recent rankings and analyses provide an interesting perspective on McGregor's true standing as an MMA fighter. According to MMAJunkie, a respected source in the MMA community, Conor was ranked number 15 or 17 of the 30 greatest UFC fighters of all time. While many may debate this ranking, it's a consensus of multiple analysts and reflects a thorough evaluation of his career.
Early Career Dominance
McGregor's early UFC career was nothing short of spectacular. Starting at 145lbs (featherweight), he dominated the division, winning titles with a 7-fight streak, including an impressive 13-second KO of Jose Aldo. His performances were largely due to his outstanding striking, accuracy, timing, and confidence.
Challenges and Career Decline
McGregor's career faced significant challenges as he moved to higher weight classes. Here are the key points:
1. **Title Defenses**: He maintained the featherweight title for a while but never defended it without a loss. He moved up to lightweight and won the title by KO, but never defended it.
2. **Weight Classes**: After moving to 155lbs (lightweight), he delivered one of the greatest performances ever, winning against Eddie Alvarez. However, he never defended this title and lost to Nate Diaz in his next fight at 170lbs (welterweight).
3. **Overall Performance**: While he is still in his prime years, McGregor has not returned to the top tier in recent fights. He is seen as a consistent top 10 or possibly top 5 fighter, but not a contender for the ultimate title.
Conclusion
Despite his reputation as one of the greatest talkers and business people, McGregor's skills as a fighter are often overrated. His striking was outstanding, but his wrestling and submission skills were weak. His early career success is impressive, but his challenges at higher weight classes and lack of title defenses since moving to 155lbs point to a decline in true fighting ability.
In conclusion, while McGregor's career is filled with memorable moments and achievements, the consensus among analysts suggests that he may indeed be overrated in terms of overall skill level as he moves further into his career.