John Gooden wants to see Conor McGregor go back to one of the reasons he was so successful.
McGregor’s coaches have liked what they’re seeing ahead of his first fight in just over five years this Saturday.
While it’s their job to prepare ‘The Notorious’ to the best of their abilities, there are some things that only he can control.
Max Holloway is already preparing for McGregor’s trash talk, but we haven’t always seen this side to the biggest star in the sport during fight week.
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John Gooden doubts Conor McGregor will try to be ‘too friendly’ with Max Holloway before UFC 329
Before Conor McGregor’s feud with Dustin Poirier was reignited in their trilogy bout, the build to their second meeting was an incredibly cordial affair.
Fans saw the same friendly rather than intense version of ‘The Notorious’ for his return bout with Donald Cerrone in 2020.
UFC commentator John Gooden has experienced a lot of McGregor fight weeks up close and personal, both before and after he signed to the sport’s leading promotion.
Gooden told Bloody Elbow that he doubts we’ll see this side of the Irishman as we get closer to UFC 329, highlighting that the way he acts before a bout has been one of his best weapons in the past.
“I don’t know if he’ll be too friendly because it just sort of hasn’t worked for him, has it? That’s kind of not what people are signing up for with a Conor fight,” he said. “They want the full experience and he will be very aware that it’s good for business to give everyone the Conor experience.”
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The joint interview that McGregor and Max Holloway did saw ‘The Mac’ dial up the intensity throughout the course of the conversation.
Gooden believes that just like in this interview, it’ll only take one comment that “kind of bleeds over the line” from Holloway to bring out the McGregor of old in Las Vegas.
“I just think it would be a bit of a missed opportunity and people are going to be coming after Conor,” he added. “I’m sure he’s seen the comments. He knows that he’s been away a long time. Will he be out there with his lyrics, just kind of laying down the law? I think so. I hope so.”