Greg Jackson has been in the corner for freakishly talented former world champions like Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre and Rashad Evans over the years.
It’s safe to say that the Albuquerque- based Jackson knows superstar status when he sees it and he’s had his say this week on the phenomenon known as Conor McGregor.
Speaking to Jonathan Shrager of MixedMartialArts.com, Jackson said: “It’s amazing. He [McGregor] really stepped up and performed well. He answered a lot of questions and you just have to respect the guy.
“He’s a modern Muhammad Ali,” Jackson added. “He can talk, he talks to the guys right in the middle of it [a fight] and just gets in their heads. It’s very impressive to watch.”
McGregor’s trash-talk has made him a number of enemies in the featherweight division over the years and one of Jackson’s fighters, Cub Swanson, is one such fighter whose feathers have been ruffled by the Irishman.
Asked about how Jackson would prepare for a challenge like Conor McGregor, he revealed how tricky a test it would be.
“I’d have to sit down to study him and figure it out,” Jackson said. “But he’s a very hard puzzle for anybody to solve.
“Noone’s been able to do it except maybe early on in his career but I’m not worried about it because we’re not anywhere close to fighting him with anybody and we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
“But I’ve nothing but respect for that guy.”
