MMA legend Anderson Silva is open to a potential fight with superstar Conor McGregor. Responding to McGregor’s comments earlier this week, in which the Irishman said he’d be interested in a bout with Silva, the 43-year-old fighter said it would be a “dream come true” to enter the Octagon with McGregor.
"That's a dream come true. That would be an amazing fight,” Silva told ESPN, who claimed he wasn’t surprised by McGregor bringing him up as a potential fight. "No, he's a legend, I'm a legend. Let's go do this for the fans. Hopefully McGregor doesn't do the same as Georges St-Pierre. He talked about fighting me and then he run and run and run."
Silva said he still needs to talk to the UFC about the potential match, but it would have to be at 180-pounds. That would be quite a jump for McGregor who typically fights around the featherweight and lightweight range; although, he did move all the way up to 170-pounds to fight Nate Diaz back at UFC 196 - a fight he lost by submission. The difference was quite noticeable as Diaz absorbed punches that would normally rock lighter opponents.
Despite the weight difference, Silva is confident it would be an exciting fight since both he and McGregor are strikers. He said: “Me and McGregor will be a super fight. Don't run, buddy. Don't run. I'm ready for you. I think McGregor needs to take this fight. Two of the best strikers in this sport: me and McGregor. That's amazing."
But first, McGregor must take on current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov this Saturday, October 6, at UFC 229. Silva believes both fighters have a chance, but that the match “will be very boring,” due to their different approaches; McGregor is a striker while Khabib is more of a wrestler.
In addition to Silva, McGregor also mentioned potential rematches with both Floyd Mayweather and Nate Diaz. Who would you like to see McGregor fighter after Khabib this Saturday?