Mike Tyson doesn’t think it’s a good idea for Conor McGregor to fight for a UFC title upon his return.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is nearing a comeback from a broken fibula he suffered in a TKO loss to Dustin Poirier last July at UFC 264. The former UFC dual champion expressed interest in challenging welterweight champion Kamaru Usman right off the bat, but boxing legend Tyson thinks he needs to ease his way back.
“After a defeat, you should do a couple of fights to get your feet wet,” Tyson told Henry Cejudo on “The Fight Card” podcast.
He continued, “Conor, I think you should build your confidence up and go do what you do: win excitingly.”
Cejudo suggested McGregor fight the skidding Tony Ferguson, who was able to drop Michael Chandler early before ultimately getting knocked out by a devastating front kick at UFC 274. However, Tyson thinks even that wouldn’t be an easy fight for McGregor.
“Well, that’s a tough fight,” Tyson said. “He’s a warrior, regardless if he loses, He makes exciting fights. It’s hard to beat that guy. … No big-time guy, let him get three fights and build his confidence back up. Every fight the opponent goes to a higher level.”
McGregor has lost three of his past four, with his lone win in that stretch coming over Donald Cerrone in January 2020. Tyson thinks McGregor needs a similar type of bounce-back matchup before fighting someone elite.
“Even if he wins, he’s gonna get hurt in the next fight, and he can’t fight the next fight,” Tyson added. “You get your experience down, three more fights, you feel good, the beat the last two guys are really qualified opponents, now you go back out there.”
