Demetrious Johnson may never see the PPV numbers that McGregor and Aldo are guaranteed to get this summer but, in terms of technique, there’s literally nobody whose opinion is more valuable.
The UFC flyweight champion is arguably the most technically sound fighter on the entire UFC roster so he most certainly knows what he’s talking about.
Himself and women’s bantantweight contender Miesha Tate were hosting a Q & A event ahead of today’s UFC Manila and inevitably the subject of Conor McGregor came up.
DJ refused to pick between McGregor and Aldo but he did reveal his admiration for the range control of The Notorious.
https://youtu.be/xtSSpJn77UE
“When I first watched him [McGregor] fight and looked at his videos, and I saw how he controlled distance, how he countered, how he moved, I was like ‘OK this guy knows how to fight.’
“There are a lot of people out here who are fighters on the UFC roster but if you ask them ‘do you understand distance?’ … a lot of them don’t.
“The people who can control distance and read it as they’re fighting, those are great fighters and I think Conor McGregor is one of those guys.”
Tate, meanwhile, was less indecisive on the outcome of UFC 189’s main event and she plumped for the champion to retain his belt.
https://youtu.be/v0v76VbACuU
“I think Jose Aldo [will win]. I just think he’s very tried and true, battle-tested and he’s no joke. He’s not just talking a big game, he’s walking a big game.
“He’s the champion for a reason and I don’t think Conor’s the man to take him away from the title just yet. Conor’s a very talented fighter, for sure, but maybe has a more talented mouth than he does to fight.
“Needless to say, I think it will be a great fight. Conor will bring a lot to the table but I don’t think it’ll be enough to take the belt from Jose.”
