The Ultimate Fighting Championship comes back in style as Conor McGregor takes on Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in Las Vegas on Saturday.
This will be McGregor's first fight in the octagon after more than a year of absence. Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated the Irishman convincingly, and he is now looking to return to winning ways after a long pause.
McGregor's pandora box
It's a pretty interesting situation for McGregor - nobody really knows what to expect from him, considering that he was quieter than usual in the build-up to this fight among the sex-scandals thrown his way.Thus, it could end up forcing McGregor to focus even more on the fight itself, but it could have the opposite effect - that he loses the confidence he lives off.
This could be an especially hard matchup for the Irishman, as he's facing the "Cowboy", who is well-regarded as the most complete and rounded UFC fighter in the competition.
According to online sports betting odds website, McGregor has a big chance to take on Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in the upcoming match.
Cowboy looking for a rare upset
Even though Cerrone is on a two-fight losing streak, it shouldn't rattle him much, because an opportunity to fight Conor McGregor comes once in a lifetime, and you best believe that the Cowboy will make the most out of it.However, his issues with division's top fighters surfaced time and time again over the years. Cerrone never had so serious issues with less athletic fighters, but the cream of the crop was mostly on top of him when Cerrone gunned for the very top.
The Cowboy will try to gain an advantage via submission as he won 17 out of his 36 victories with that method, unlike McGregor who won only one fight with submission, although it's mostly because he ends his fight with knockouts more often than not.
Not only that, but Cerrone has a reputation for struggling with pressure fighters, something that McGregor traditionally thrives on. It could be a long - or short - night for the American, who will realistically face a better opponent looking to make an impression and start the decade in style.
It seems like only Conor McGregor's fitness level and readiness to fight after 15 months of absence are the only question marks ahead of this fight.
If the Irishman manages to get back at least close to his best, Donald Cerrone is unlikely to make an upset as McGregor builds his way back to the top.
