Jim Alers 'couldn't care less' about fight with 'idiot' Conor McGregor

Jim Alers

Jim Alers returns to the octagon this coming Saturday at UFC Fight Night 60, taking on Chas Skelly in a battle of once-beaten featherweights.

Prior to his April 2014 split decision win over Alan Omer in his UFC debut, Alers (13-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), a Florida native, spent two years fighting in the Cage Warriors Fighting Championships promotion in Europe. It was there that Alers was scheduled on multiple occasions to fight Conor McGregor (17-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC).

Injuries would keep the fight from taking place on a Cage Warriors card, and McGregor found his way to the UFC, where he has become a huge star – setting ratings records while demolishing foes to set up his opportunity to fight Jose Aldo for the UFC featherweight title at UFC 189.

While they’re now in significantly different places in their careers, Alers had no problem taking a shot at McGregor during an interview with The Daily Record.

“I really wanted the fight at first but to be honest I couldn’t care less now,” Alers said. “He is a smart guy for talking his way to the top and getting fights that were tailored towards him. Is he an amazing striker? I believe so. Can he last in the octagon against a powerful wrestler? We are not sure yet. Do I think he is a idiot? Yes, yes I do!”

Despite his current nine-fight win streak, Alers has a long way to go before having any chance to settle his years old beef with McGregor. He sees Saturday as the first part of some very big plans for 2015.

“My goals for 2015 are simple,” Alers said. “I’m going to fight, win, fight, win, fight, win and fight and win again. I want to stay very active and plan on fighting four or five (times) this year. I need to accomplish the goals of getting a ton of fights in and breaking into the top 10 in the featherweight division.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 60, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.