The Biggest Fight In UFC History Is Finally Here

By
Gregory LaFountain
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Will McGregor And Nurmagomedov Be Able To Stick Their Gameplans?

This fight isn’t your average “these guys don’t like each other” matchup. This is Russia versus Ireland. A Champion versus a former two-division champion. The hate is real between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor.

Both have had fights in the past where they didn’t get along with their opponents, but neither have had a fight like the one they’re having tonight where there is hatred and disdain for one another. Both fighters said they will not shake the hand of their opponent once the fight is done. This bad blood will carry over long after the fight is over. Unlike in other instances where the beef is squashed as soon as the fight is over, this isn’t one of those cases.

Photo: John Locher/AP

Nurmagomedov has done a great job of not letting McGregor get into his head. When McGregor showed up late to the press conference on Thursday, (like he always does) Nurmagomedov had Dana White start the press conference on time without McGregor. Nurmagomedov answered questions from the reporters and after fifteen minutes and McGregor still not being there, Nurmagomedov left the press conference.

Photo: John Locher/AP

At the weigh-ins Friday night, when the two faced off, McGregor slapped Nurmagomedov’s hands and even threw a kick. Nurmagomedov stayed calm and composed. The video of their face off can be seen below via the UFC’s Twitter.

Will McGregor (21-3) be able to control his emotions once the cage door closes? If he throws too many power punches trying to Nurmagomedov, he will tire himself out. McGregor’s cardio has been an issue before, so he needs to remain patient, pick his shots and not go in throwing guns-a-blazing.

Photo: John Locher/AP

Nurmagomedov (26-0) has done a good job keeping his cool and he needs to keep his composure when he faces off against McGregor in the octagon. It’s no secret that Nurmagomedov wants to get the fight to the ground as quickly as possible. But Nurmagomedov can’t shoot his takedowns too far from the outside, or McGregor will catch him with an uppercut on the way in.

Whichever fighter can remain calm in the fight and implement his gameplan, will most likely be the fighter who gets his hand raised Saturday night.

 

Gregory LaFountain
Greg LaFountain is from a small town in upstate New York called Peru. After graduating high school, Greg enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving his country for four years. After the Marines, Greg went to Pensacola State College where he got his Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He then moved to Tampa and enrolled at the University of South Florida where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications. Since graduating from USF, Greg interned with Bucs Blitz, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Greg joined Genesis in the fall of 2016, covering Florida State Football, the NFL and the UFC.

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