UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor has insisted that he isn't "talented," he's just obsessed with self improvement.
Well, UFC commentator Joe Rogan thinks McGregor should consider becoming "obsessed" with jiu jitsu.
McGregor was submitted with a rear-naked choke by Nate Diaz in the second round of their main event bout March 5 at UFC 196.
A rematch between the pair July 9 at UFC 200 could be announced this week according to reports from MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani and McGregor's head coach John Kavanagh.
Rogan is certainly giving McGregor a shot at scoring some redemption, but believes he may be outclassed by Diaz again if the fight hits the mat.
"If it goes to the ground? Oh, that's the wrong guy," Rogan said of Diaz on his podcast. "Nate Diaz is the wrong guy to go to the ground with. Nate Diaz is a legit black belt, a really high-level black belt. I knew Conor had gotten submitted by Joe Duffy. Anybody can get submitted if you get caught, but he got submitted by that Joe Duffy guy just a few years ago. Joe Duffy is a very talented fighter, no doubt about it, but Nate wouldn't have gotten submitted by that same guy. I highly, highly, highly doubt it.
"A guy like Conor, if you've been tapped before by Joe Duffy just a few years ago with an arm triangle ... to get caught like that, you've got a lot to learn and I don't know if you've learned it all in time. You've got to be obsessed with jiu jitsu. You've got to be in there every day training and I didn't think he did [for UFC 196]. I thought it was more about movement and striking and all that stuff. I know he was doing some jiu jitsu but it's not like the primary focus. So I felt like, 'That's a big f**king deep end jump.'"
A week after the bout McGregor told TMZ that he believed he was carrying the fight up until the moment he was submitted.
"You know, when I look at the fight I was winning the fight," McGregor said. "I won the first round and a half, I feel. I'd love to get that one back."
Rogan believes McGregor has the potential to stop Diaz, but has to appreciate Diaz's added confidence going into a potential second fight.
"He might knock [Diaz] out," Rogan said of McGregor. "Conor can knock out anybody. But he didn't. So now that he didn't and now that Nate knows he didn't, now they're going to go into the second fight and Nate's going to have a full training camp. Good luck."
UFC 200 takes place July 9 from the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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TTTHS.
Long watches.
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TWEETS
Check out This Week in Struggle.
Good knock.
It was a good knock. Enjoy it. We'll see the next time.
Posted by Conor McGregor on Friday, March 25, 2016
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) March 26, 2016
Coach him up.
If you were me, what would be your ideas, tactics ,strategy going into this fight against DC?
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 26, 2016
Sorry guys.
10 years undefeated.
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) March 26, 2016
5 years as UFC champion.
7 title defenses.#IAmTheGreatest
"When history speaks for itself, Frankie Edgar will go down as the guy who fought anyone at any weight, any time,... https://t.co/NJBBgOwtCg
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) March 26, 2016
Beef.
I AM CHAMPION. I TRAIN LIKE A CHAMPION. I WILL BEAT @TeamKhabib. I WILL FINISH HIM & I WILL SMILE AFTER DOING SO. #TEAMELCUCUY #UFCTAMPA
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) March 26, 2016
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 27, 2016
Almost missed the 9 yr anniversary @thedomin8r #rebirth #life March 7th 2007. Can't wait for #3... https://t.co/f6xkUOJPVK
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) March 25, 2016
Hey @NikLentz set down ur easter eggs & sign to fight me international fight week!! #dontbescaredpussy @UFCEurope @ufc
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) March 27, 2016
Buds.
Warming up with @beastmode all about that action boss
Posted by Luke Rockhold on Friday, March 25, 2016
methodmanofficial @mgmgrand #DaRockwilder #rap #gangstarap @ Freeway 99 https://t.co/LJZ58l2JHH
Posted by Nick Diaz on Friday, March 25, 2016
Just ran into the champ on the beach! What r the chances? @ufc @rdosanjosmma @ Maui, Hawaii Islands https://t.co/4Vc5UGe82q
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) March 27, 2016
The next Diaz Bro.
#Repost @chelseachand209 with @repostapp.・・・Chris slept his ass!!! Good job @chrisavila209 second round knockout
Posted by DIAZ BROTHERS on Saturday, March 26, 2016
Back on the bike.
https://t.co/OxF4hObd9J pic.twitter.com/LhfB463Uqc
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) March 28, 2016
Dang.
My dog looks like he is serious about S&M. #WhoBoughtHimThis #HeLikesToBeSpanked https://t.co/JYyzT25VY7
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) March 28, 2016
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Mar. 25-27 2016)
Dong HyunKim vs. Polo Reyes at UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Weidman
Jason Saggo vs. Leandro Silva at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Thompson
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