They thought McGregor was a busted flush.
In fairness to Rafael Dos Anjos and Michael Chandler, they were not alone in believing Conor McGregor’s race was run as he struggled badly in the closing stages of the second round.
McGregor looked set to gain his revenge against Diaz at UFC 202 but, with 90 seconds left in the second round, he started puffing. Diaz pressed forward and was not far off finishing the fight before the bell sounded and McGregor made it back to his seat.
McGregor, by his own admission, had ‘gassed out’ in his March defeat to Diaz and history looked to be repeating itself.
A couple of prominent MMA fighters – Dos Anjos and Chandler – were quick to tweet about McGregor’s imminent demise…
When a bully gets bullied he quits on himself #UFC202
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) August 21, 2016
Gas out already ?
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) August 21, 2016
As we now know, McGregor rallied well to battle through the third round, claim the fourth and hang on in the fifth. Two judges gave the fight to the Dubliner while the other scored it a draw.
"Surprise, surprise, motherfuckers. The King is back." Conor McGregor #UFC202
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 21, 2016
Credit to Chandler, who lost his Bellator Lightweight belt to Eddie Alvarez in 2013, he owned his previous tweet.
I have to say…I was impressed with how Conor rallied late. I figured he would keep fading. I stand corrected. #UFC202
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) August 21, 2016
Dos Anjos has not tweeted since.
They’ll have to put up with McGregor a while longer.
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