“Fourteen weeks before the fight I tore 80 percent of my ACL. I could barely walk, I could barely kick. I had a lot of experience coming back from that injury. I was aware of my body, I was aware of my balance. I had a good team around me. I trusted everyone that was there. That’s how I perform. So, once again, I had a lot of adversity to overcome. But honestly, I went into that fight and I beat Chad on one leg. After going through that adversity I feel like I have gained three new legs.”
-Conor McGregor discusses the knee injury he suffered prior to UFC 189 during a fan Q&A in Dublin last week (via MMAFighting.com).
Penick’s Analysis: Because of the ailments McGregor was dealing with, and the extremely short notice nature of Chad Mendes’ participation in that event, a rematch down the line is a must. Whether the title is on the line or not, the two belong in a big fight against one another with a full camp and fully healthy. It’s something we’ll likely see come together at some point. For as much as Mendes has a valid comment about fighting McGregor on two weeks notice, McGregor has this to point to as to why he himself wasn’t at his best and still won; that makes for unfinished business, and we should expect to see them go at it again eventually.
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