Newly crowned UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor has earned praise as one of sport's emerging superstars, but fellow mixed martial artist "King" Mo Lawal claims comparisons with Muhammad Ali are out of line.
UFC commentator Kenny Florian likened McGregor to "The Greatest" on his Anik and Florian podcast, but Lawal was offended by such comments on Tyron Woodley and Din Thomas' Morning Wood podcast (h/t David St. Martin of MMA Fighting):
I think it was a good performance. What he's doing with his striking range, he's confident, but one thing I don't like is when people say he's like Ali. How dare you all say he's like Ali. [McGregor's] turning heads, he's got Ireland behind him. White folks love Ireland and Italy, but Ali stood for something different, a whole different thing.
McGregor stands for himself and for his country, but Ali was greater than that. Ali gave us a voice. To me, it's a slap in the face when people try to compare him to Ali. If you want to say he talks trash as ridiculous as Ali, cool, but that's about it. As far as being as significant as Ali? Ali is the greatest and most influential athlete of all time.
You can listen to the full version of Lawal's appearance on the Morning Wood podcast here.
Like boxing legend Ali, McGregor is something of a wordsmith and boasts the kind of trash-talking ability that would surely be welcomed in World Wrestling Entertainment, never mind combat sports.
The Dubliner's 13-second stoppage of Jose Aldo at UFC 194 on Saturday crystallised his rise through the mixed martial arts world, having made his debut in April 2013.
But Lawal's criticism of the Ali comparisons is about far more than mere fighting ability and more so in regards to his influence on fans and even the world in general.
In April of this year, McGregor called it "weird" and "an honour" to be compared to Ali as part of JOE.ie's McGregor Diaries, but he also acknowledged the desire to establish his own brand:
In a way, that itself could be seen as another reason to compare the two, and by seeking that individual legacy in such a humble manner, the Irish phenomenon only seems more akin to "The People's Champion."
BBC 5Live reporter Richard Conway was quick to note McGregor's knockout victory of Aldo—who went 10 years undefeated before running into the new champion—brought the UFC "one step closer" to reaching boxing's greatest heights:
It was once said world will stop for UFC as it did for Ali v Foreman. Sounds silly but McGregor's knockout of Aldo brings it one step closer
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) December 13, 2015
That's another facet in which McGregor has huge influence; he's ripped through the UFC's featherweight division, and the sport now appears more popular than ever.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Snowden did point out UFC chief executive Lorenzo Fertitta previously compared recently defeated Ronda Rousey to Ali, showing some plaudits can be premature:
Lorenzo Fertitta has now compared both Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor to Muhammad Ali. So weird.
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) November 13, 2015
Super athletes come and go, as do the comparisons that inevitably follow them, and while people may debate his coming as a second Ali, there's no doubting the irrepressible rise of the first McGregor.
