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

Published: 2:17pm, 24 May 2020Updated: 12:30pm, 25 May 2020

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.

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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