Conor McGregor Next Fight: Chad Mendes Says He Would 'Kill' the Irish Fighter
Two weeks prior to finally facing Jose Aldo, Chad Mendes claimed that he is open to fighting Conor McGregor but noted that he could "kill" the latter during their match.
Mendes' reaction came after McGregor commented that he is "just a little small bodybuilder" stuck in the 145-pound division.
"He gets tired quick. He's 5'6", a 65-inch reach. I have an eight-inch reach advantage on him. I would tower over him. So I'd maul Chad," McGregor told Fox Sports.
McGregor's comments certainly solicited a reaction from Mendes who claimed that he was not offended with the remarks but noted that his possible opponent should first study his moves before trying to fight him.
"The short jokes don't bother me at all. He keeps digging at that, so it is what it is," he said in the Fox Sports article.
McGregor will likely face Mendes if the latter will be able to defeat Aldo in their upcoming fight. Fox Sports said that this possibility will be an easy job for Mendes who seems to be confident with his skills but doubts McGregor's.
"The guy's got a huge hype train, he's got a lot of publicity behind him. But honestly, if the UFC is smart, if Dana White is smart, they will not put him in with a guy like me. There are multiple guys who will beat this guy in the division. I think I would kill him," Mendes explained.
The American MMA fighter also noted that the UFC still needs to "keep building" McGregor. "This guy's obviously bringing a lot of attention to the division, a lot of attention to the sport, he's a superstar now. I would love to get in there and dismantle the guy, which I would truly love to do, but I think if the UFC's smart, they wouldn't allow that."
He also told Bloody Elbow that he is really focused with his upcoming fight with Aldo which is set to happen at the Ginásio do Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
"Right now, I'm super-focused on Jose, but maybe down the road when I get that belt. I would love to dismantle the dude," Mendes said.
In a similar article by Low Kick MMA, Mendes said that he is not afraid of his opponent and reiterated that he can certainly beat him.
"Either he is feeling threatened or I'm in his head, getting to him. Everyone wants to see a rivalry, it's more entertaining when there is bad blood. A lot of people asked if it was just to sell the fight, but it's not.
"He talked all kinds of shit about me, and he's never done that before. For me it's redemption, it's about payback. I feel like I was winning the first fight before I got caught with the knee," he added.