Conor McGregor vs 'Cowboy' Cerrone: Breaking down where the fight will be won and lost with Brad Pickett

Conor McGregor makes his grand return tonight as he takes on Donald Cerrone in UFC 246’s headline act in Las Vegas.

McGregor became the promotion’s first ever double champion when he took the lightweight title from Eddie Alvarez in 2016, adding it to his featherweight crown with a knockout win in Madison Square Garden.

It was the apex of the Dubliner’s career – and his last win to date. McGregor was dominated in the boxing ring by Floyd Mayweather in 2017 before his crushing submission defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov 15 months ago.

36-year-old ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone stands in his way this time around – a veteran of 50 professional fights who has tangled with the best UFC has to offer.

Standard Sport spoke to former UFC fighter and UK MMA legend Brad Pickett to analyse their match up and judge where the contest will be won and lost.

How will McGregor fare fighting at welterweight again?

Weight is never an issue with striking. In the striking element he might have a bit more power as there is a bit more weight behind his punches but he can still be a little more elusive.

“Size really matters when it comes to wrestling and grappling. That’s the big thing. So McGregor moving up to welterweight, it doesn’t matter too much when he is coming up against someone like ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone. It doesn’t matter as much compared to if he was coming up against someone like Tyron Woodley or Kamaru Usman who will grapple.

I still think he is a natural 155lbs fighter, I don’t think he is the right size to fight at 170lbs but with the right match-ups, it’s fine.

Does Cerrone’s style favour McGregor?

“Conor is a bad match up for anyone on his feet. He has amazing striking, both times against Nate Diaz at welterweight his striking was phenomenal.

Cerrone has good grappling and quite underrated wrestling but sometimes he gets drawn into having a fight which will play into McGregor’s hands.

Are people overlooking Cowboy?

Cerrone for me is a little fragile at the start of fights, losing in the first round against Justin Gaethje and losing in the second round against Tony Ferguson. And we know McGregor is such a fast starter.

But, I have counted out Cerronee quite a few times, against Alexander Hernandez last January who was smoking everyone and Cerrone just beat him up. He is such a crafty veteran, he has been around such a long time.

Any ring rust for Conor after 15 months out?

Ring rust is a factor if you make it a factor. It’s all mental. If you spend too much time thinking about it, it can affect you. Ring rust is mental and someone who is as strong mentally as Conor is won’t be affected by it.

Fight prediction

If I was a betting man I’d have Conor getting the finish in the first or second round.

Watch UFC® 246: McGREGOR vs. COWBOY live on BT Sport Box Office from 3:00am GMT with the early prelims exclusively live on UFC FIGHT PASS from 11:15pm. GMT