UFC: Donald Cerrone Fight ‘Winnable’ For Conor McGregor But Timing Not Perfect –Analysts

Analysts believe that Conor McGregor made a good business decision in choosing a safe and winnable bout in his return to the scene but insisted that the MMA icon should have opted to fight Donald Cerrone earlier this year when the latter had yet to suffer back-to-back defeats.

“I like this matchup with Cowboy -- but I have to say, the timing isn't perfect. It would have been perfect earlier this year when Cerrone knocked out Alexander Hernandez in January and then beat Al Iaquinta in May. But since then, he's lost two in a row,” ESPN’s Brett Okamoto said.

Conor McGregor is at the critical crossroads of his illustrious career at the moment, and the way he’ll show up and perform in his return against the “Cowboy” on Jan. 18 could direct the path of his future as a fighter.

Ariel Helwani, also from ESPN, said that all Conor McGregor needs right now is a win to redeem a seemingly fading confidence in him by most of the MMA fans and that setting up a “winnable” faceoff against a fighter with a strong following could not be more suited for the Irish superstar.

“I like this fight for him a lot. I didn't like the idea of an immediate rematch versus Nurmagomedov. It was too soon for that. Bottom line is, he needs a win. He needs to get his mojo back. He needs to get the fans on his side again. This is a winnable fight against a popular fighter,” Helwani said.

Jeff Wagenheim affirmed both Helwani’s and Okamoto’s thoughts, saying the “Cowboy” fight is “by far the safer option” but “wouldn't produce the ‘Wow!’ that it once would have," for McGregor. He also cited that a fight with Justin Gaethje, a winner of his last three bouts, would be more fitting for the 31-year-old former featherweight champ, who he said has never “opted for the safe route.”

“He always has looked for the next treacherous mountain to climb. So it would have seemed to be in McGregor's nature to go after the biggest challenge he can find. The one he covets, a rematch with Nurmagomedov, is not in the offing, so the next best thing would have been Gaethje, winner of three in a row, all by KO,” Wagenheim said. “ McGregor could have made the MMA world truly sit up and take notice by stepping in with Gaethje and being the last man standing.”