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UFC: Conor McGregor says he is ‘number two, if not tied one’ in the MMA GOAT rankings – and will ‘easily’ catch up with Anderson Silva

  • Former champion McGregor explains why the greatest of all time (GOAT) should be Silva, himself, St Pierre then Jones
  • ‘Notorious’ also cites his compatriots’ previously failed drugs tests – ‘that makes me the clear current number one’

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Conor McGregor celebrates after defeating Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in Las Vegas in January. Photo: AP
Andrew McNicol

Conor McGregor says he is ‘number two, if not tied one’ for MMA’s greatest of all time (GOAT) – behind only legendary middleweight Anderson Silva – and will ‘easily’ be number one before he retires.

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In a Twitter thread, former UFC featherweight and middleweight champion McGregor (22-4) gave his thoughts on why he should be considered above the likes of Georges St Pierre and Jon Jones but has yet to surpass Silva (34-10, 1 no contest).

“The array of finishes, across [two] divisions, with champion status in [one], Anderson Silva is [number one] MMA GOAT. My array of finishes, across [three] divisions, with champion status in [two], I’m [number two]. If not tied [one]. However still active, [number one] is fully secured by career end. And easily,” said McGregor, who beat Donald Cerrone via first-round TKO in January.
Canadian St Pierre (26-2) has long been in the pound-for-pound number one discussion. However, McGregor felt “GSP” – a former welterweight and middleweight champion – took fights that favoured him. His last fight was a successful third-round submission in 2017 of then-middleweight champion Michael Bisping, who revealed earlier in the year that he had been fighting with “basically one eye” towards the end of his career.

“GSP is in at [three]. Much less array of finishes but champion status in [two]. He is far behind, though. Reasons[:] Left 170 [pound division] after much damage taken [and] questionable decision. Never re-engaged 170lb successors. Bottled Anderson fight. Only moved when one eyed fighter presented. Played safe,” McGregor said.

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