Daniel Cormier breaks down wrestling in UFC 189's Mendes vs. McGregor
Conventional wisdom has it that wrestling is the question of UFC 189's main event. Featherweight contender Conor McGregor suddenly had his opponent switched from the Muay Thai specialist champion Jose Aldo to the power takedown artist Chad Mendes.
Thing is, McGregor has never before fought a wrestler this good. So, we don't yet know if he'll be able to keep Mendes off of him long enough to connect with his hard and long strikes, on the feet.
McGregor has been tested so little in the wrestling department thus far in his UFC career that it takes a truly expert eye to give a useful take on where his wrestling strengths and weaknesses stand. So, we consulted with as good of an expert as there in the world on the subject -- UFC light heavyweight champion, and UFC Tonight co-host Daniel Cormier.
No one in MMA knows wrestling better than the two-time Olympic wrestler, and from what he's seen of McGregor's movements, the Irishman definitely has a clue when it comes to wrestling. "Conor clearly trains wrestling hard and knows what he's doing," Cormier told FOX Sports.
"You can tell certain things even from his movements and what he works for in certain spots. He defended takedowns from Dennis Siver, and from Diego Brandao. They aren't as good of wrestlers as Mendes, but you could still tell from the way Conor defended, and the way he popped back up when he has been taken down, that he understands the fundamentals of wrestling."
All of that said, Cormier believes that Mendes' superior wrestling skills can help "Money" take it to McGregor. Mendes loves the blast double-leg takedown, and had that option taken away from him a lot by Jose Aldo in their second fight when the champ chose to take an especially wide stance on the feet.
In effect, Aldo fed Mendes the single-leg takedown attempt by keeping his own lead leg out in front so prominently. It must have been on purpose and because Aldo felt more comfortable defending the single leg than the double, as Aldo successfully shucked off a number of Mendes' single-leg attempts.
McGregor naturally often stands in a very wide stance. Cormier doesn't necessarily see that being an asset for him, though, against Mendes.
"The single leg will definitely be there for Chad," hs eaid.
"He leaves his lead leg out there and Chad will have it available to grab if he wants. What Chad should do is use the high-crotch a lot, from there. That will allow him to run the pike a bit more and then change-off into the double leg that he likes so much."
Cormier also believes that, even though Mendes isn't the same type of clinch and tie-up wrestler that DC is, the Team Alpha Male fighter would be well served to get in close on McGregor in addition to shooting from more of the outside, for takedowns. "He needs to get inside," he said, bluntly.
"I understand that Chad doesn't like the underhooks and pressing guys against the cage as much as someone like me, but he needs to get inside of McGregor's reach and work from there for takedowns, a bit. He should definitely also take his shots when he sees the opportunities, but Chad needs to get inside on McGregor to make it harder on him, pressure him and grind him down a bit as well."
Amidst all the hyperbole from Mendes and McGregor both about how easy the fight will be for themselves, Cormier's exeprt take on one key area of the matchup -- wrestling -- really sobers things up. Sure, McGregor has not been tested by a great wrestler in a fight, yet, but Cormier can tell from subtle movements in past fights that the Dubliner has a clue, and pairs it with some dynamic athleticism to be capable of at least getting back to his feet, often.
And yes, Mendes is the better wrestler, but he needs to pick his spots, chain moves together well and be smart about adding some new, pressuring elements to his takedowns. In theory, both men are capable in the grappling department, but it will come down to execution on fight night.
