Getty Conor McGregor
Longtime UFC combatant Matt Brown called out Conor McGregor after he tied the promotion’s knockout record on Saturday.
Brown dueled fellow Octagon veteran Court McGee during UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almedia on May 13, and “The Immortal” earned his 13th KO in the organization during the opening frame — tying heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis for the record.
McGregor reacted to Brown’s triumph via Twitter. “Matt Brown, at 42 years of age, now holds the joint highest KO’s inside the UFC with 13KO’s,” McGregor tweeted. “Him and ‘The Beast’ Lewis are tied. I hold 8 KO’s inside the UFC currently, at 34 years of age. I’m getting this record.”
Well, Brown took notice of “Notorious” eyeing the KO record, and he shared an idea in response. “I’ll fight you for it,” The Immortal tweeted. At the time of publication, McGregor has yet to answer Brown.
McGregor has been linked to Michael Chandler for a contest later this year — after their season of “The Ultimate Fighter” finishes airing on ESPN this summer — but, a venue or date hasn’t been confirmed by the UFC. With the win on Saturday, Brown improved his professional mixed martial arts record to 24-19 and his promotional record to 17-13.
Brown Recently Speculated That McGregor Could Walk Away From Fighting Soon
It’s been nearly two years since Notorious made the walk to the cage. And Brown said to MMA Fighting in February that if Chandler hands McGregor a devastating loss, the Irishman may elect to leave his gloves inside the Octagon.
“I have a hard time seeing [Conor] fighting again if he comes back and he loses, especially a bad loss like that,” Brown said. “He doesn’t have any reason to [fight again]. He’s coming back because he loves fighting and he wants to put on a show and he wants to be a champion again, I’m sure.
“I can’t imagine him having the motivation to fight again if he comes back and gets knocked out by Michael Chandler.”
The Immortal said “Iron” has the capability of using his patented power to retire McGregor. “I think if [Chandler] does that, he uses that experience to his advantage, this might be his fight and we don’t see Conor again,” Brown said. “He might send Conor into retirement.”
McGregor vs. Chandler May Come Down to Their UFC Activity, Brown Said
Brown then gave his analysis on the McGregor vs. Chandler matchup, a bout that will likely take place at 170 pounds. Iron has fought three times since Notorious broke his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. And Octagon activity could be his key to victory, The Immortal speculated.
“I expect Conor to come back strong,” Brown said. “I think he’s going to look great. I’m excited to see Conor again actually. I know he’s gotten really big here the past few years and he’s been out of the USADA pool and all of that’s going to be advantageous for him.
“The only thing is he hasn’t fought. We all talk about ring rust all the time. Some people say it’s not real, some say it is and there’s different debates and opinions on that but when you’re out as long as Conor’s been out, dealing with what he’s been going through and then he came back after a long layoff. He’s just been so inactive the past few years. Chandler’s been very active so he’s going to have a huge advantage straight up off of that.”