Leading UFC featherweight contender Cub Swanson fully expects Floyd Mayweather to defeat Conor McGregor on August 26 in Las Vegas, but isn’t ruling out McGregor’s unconventional MMA style giving the boxing great problems along the way.
Swanson, one of the sport’s most entertaining strikers, has sparred plenty of boxers in preparation for fights and has found his unusual style, coupled with his unpredictability, causes headaches for exponents of the sweet science.
“I think Mayweather should be able to be the smarter fighter and go out there and just win a blind decision like he normally does,” Swanson told Fighters Only editor Michael Owens. “But it’s the what-if thing people are excited about.
“And I do think MMA fighters fight differently. I box a lot and the only reason I hang is because I box differently. I’m awkward, I throw overhand, I come from weird angles. Sometimes they think it’s sloppy but it lands. Whatever’s landing, works. That’s how we made this sport of MMA. Whatever works, works. So I think that surprise factor Conor could have on him; and having a powerful punch could make it super-exciting. He could shock the world. I think it’s worth watching.”
In addition to giving McGregor a chance on August 26, Swanson also sees the fight as a good thing for both boxing and MMA. He doesn’t subscribe to the theory that it in any way damages either.
“I definitely think it’s an exciting fight and needs to happen,” he said. “I think it will be good for combat sports in general. People say it’s not good for boxing and not good for MMA. But this is why MMA started in the first place. You’d see these style matchups. I think it’s a huge draw. People want to see it.”
