UFC boss Dana White released video of the disputed sparring session that apparently included the Conor McGregor knockdown of former welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi.
For all the people who think @TheNotoriousMMA can’t box. This is gonna be a FIGHT! Conor vs Paulie Malignaggi former IBF/WBA World Champion. pic.twitter.com/CcTkFq0fhr
— Dana White (@danawhite) August 12, 2017
The video caused quite the stir as Malignaggi left McGregor’s training circle amid the claims of him being knocked down by the Irish MMA star. Additionally the former welterweight’s departure came at a vital time for McGregor who’s in the middle of training for his highly anticipated bout with Floyd Mayweather later this month.
Here’s how McGregor described what happened via ESPN:
“He tried his best, but he got his ass whupped,” McGregor said. “Tell me how his face looked. Tell me how his temple looked. He was badly, badly concussed after those rounds. Badly rattled. He was flattened and knocked down. The ropes kept him up multiple times.
“Sparring partners who were [staying] in the house with him were worried about him. They were ringing us, worried about him stumbling out of the car, incoherent.
“I don’t know what happened. At the end of the day, we got in and traded blows, so I respect him for coming in. It didn’t go well for him. I don’t know why he sprinted out of there. His ego was dented.”
Malignaggi obviously had a different take of what transpired during the sparring match.
https://twitter.com/PaulMalignaggi/status/896228344076873729
https://twitter.com/PaulMalignaggi/status/896233404932513792
As far as the release of the clip, it was apparent White was trying to drum up support for McGregor despite his tremendous underdog status against Mayweather whose undoubtedly one of the greatest boxers to ever step foot into the ring.
Some however weren’t buying McGregor’s boxing skills even in light of what was seen in the sparing session.
https://twitter.com/andrewschulz/status/896230210558984192
Generally speaking McGregor’s boxing skills may be getting overlooked. I’ve maintained that if any current MMA fighter was going to go toe-to-toe with Mayweather it was going to be McGregor. Plainly speaking he’s got the upright boxing style, the power, reach and youth on Mayweather. However when it comes to the boxing ring, there’s little Mayweather hasn’t seen and wasn’t able to make adjustments too.
In any sense this video probably isn’t going to calm any doubts in what McGregor can ultimately accomplish.
