RISING UFC star Rafael Fiziev didn’t pull any punches in sharing what he made of Conor McGregor’s appearance in a recent encounter.
The Azerbaijani lightweight is riding a six-fight win streak which has vaulted him into title contention.
Posing for a portrait after his victory on December 4 2021 versus Brad RiddellGetty
@TheNotoriousMMAMcGregor is intent on making his return at welterweight[/caption]
Having submitted a former foe of The Notorious’ last time out in Rafael Dos Anjos, he’s now really stepping up to the big time later this month as he will take on the division’s number-three ranked fighter in Justin Gaethje.
And with competing in the rarefied air of the UFC’s most competitive division comes additional media opportunities and buzz.
In an appearance on Submission Radio, the 29-year-old even took aim at the biggest name of all – who once called lightweight home.
He said: “Bro, I saw McGregor’s face when he came to the UFC Performance Institute, I think too much party.
“Too much party every day. You know, his face like… he looks like he rest a lot, drink Proper 12 a lot.”
Clearly McGregor is sporting a much larger frame these days having bulked up in his time away from the octagon.
But the suggestion his face has changed as a result is an extreme one and could see him added to the former two-weight world champ’s ever-growing list of enemies.
Fiziev would have run into the Dubliner in the promotion’s P.I. in Las Vegas because McGregor is locked into filming The Ultimate Fighter there for another six weeks or so.
Once filming for that season has wrapped, a date will be finalised for himself and rival coach Michael Chandler to meet in McGregor’s latest highly-anticipated comeback bout.
CHANDLER CHANCE
While most active fighters who have sounded off on it reckon the hittable American is about as easy a realistic match-up for the 34-year-old as there is, Fiziev also talked up the ex-Bellator champ’s chances.
He added: “Yeah, I think Chandler has a big chance to make his future sweet.
“Chandler, he also has good timing and has big power.
“He just has to do like smart, everything smart with McGregor.
“No need to make like something crazy like with Justin. You know, put his hands down, going forward.
“This he has to delete. Need to be more smart a little bit and he can beat him for sure. I believe a hundred percent.”