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Ricardo Lamas says the UFC is protecting Conor McGregor

Roar Rookie
20th November, 2014
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Roar Rookie
20th November, 2014
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Following his first-round submission victory over the highly regarded Dennis Bermudez at UFC 180, Ricardo Lamas is riding a wave a confidence.

However, the 32-year-old Chicago native is refusing to rest on his laurels and is back in the gym, itching for a crack at brash Irishman Conor McGregor.

For the moment, Lamas will have to bind his time, as McGregor is set to headline an upcoming UFC Fight Night in Boston against German veteran Dennis Siver.

However, if Siver happens to pull out due to injury, Lamas will be ready to take his place,

“I’m going to get right back in the gym and keep up with my conditioning, just in case,” Lamas said in a recent interview with MMAjunkie.

Through his unrivalled confidence and utter disdain for his fellow featherweights, McGregor has taken his native Ireland by storm and positioned himself as one of the UFC’s most viable international assets.

As he continues his march towards a UFC championship, McGregor’s fighting skills are becoming just as prolific as his trash talking. The 26-year-old Dublin native utilises a holistic approach to martial arts. From his upright Irish boxing stance, he throws unpredictable and fluent Taekwondo techniques. He has combined this dynamic striking game with fast-paced and technical grappling.

If there is one aspect of Conor McGregor that is yet to be tested inside the UFC octagon, it is wrestling. Lamas believes that it is his strong collegiate wrestling base that will be McGregor’s undoing. He also thinks that the UFC is making a smart business decision in not matching McGregor against someone of his wrestling ability,

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“McGregor does a good job of marketing himself, and he does bring in the numbers for pay-per-view buys,” said Lamas. “The guy has an entire country behind him, so that makes a huge difference. The UFC is a business, and if you make them money, they’re going to make you money.”

Through Twitter, McGregor dismissed Lamas in typical fashion.

For now, the two fighters will have to wait, as highly ranked contender Cub Swanson faces off against former Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. The two are set to meet this Sunday at UFC Fight Night 57 in Austin, Texas.

Swanson, who is on a six-fight winning streak, maintains he has been promised a title shot should he emerge victorious. McGregor on the other hand, believes the UFC will announce him as the next challenger should he defeat Siver.

Whatever the case may be, there is no denying that the spotlight is on the UFC’s featherweight division like never before. Should the UFC choose to award Swanson a title shot, the stage is set for a compelling grudge between McGregor and Lamas.

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