LeBron James agrees with UFC champ Conor McGregor: 'Talent can only get you so far'

TORONTO – UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor has a lot of unique theories when it comes to both the physical and mental sides of competition.

One of those theories, in particular, resonated strongly with four-time NBA MVP LeBron James.

McGregor (19-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who moves up to welterweight to meet Nate Diaz (18-10 MMA, 13-8 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 196 pay-per-view headliner at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, recently told ESPN that he doesn’t believe skill exists.

“The Notorious” said he carries a belief that skill and talent are merely a baseline. He said hard work, passion and dedication are the true factors that create an elite athlete, and when it comes to MMA, he said no one works harder to maximize potential than him.

“There’s no talent here, this is hard work,” McGregor said. “This is an obsession. Talent does not exist; we are all equals as human beings. You could be anyone if you put in the time. You will reach the top, and that’s that. I am not talented, I am obsessed.”

James picked up on McGregor’s comments and said they struck a relatable chord. The All-Star forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers posted McGregor’s quote on his official Instagram account with the caption “I’m obsessed.”

When asked by USA TODAY Sports why he felt McGregor’s quote was relevant to his own career, James, a two-time NBA champion, agreed that natural talent could only do so much for an athlete. It’s also about capitalizing on that talent through relentless hard work and the pursuit of greatness.

“I think in our profession, in a lot of professions, talent can only get you so far,” James said during NBA All-Star Weekend last month in Toronto. “It’s what you do with that talent, it’s the obsession that you put with your craft that kind of gets you to another level. That resonated, what Conor said. I believe I’m one of the guys that’s obsessed with my craft.”

James’ Cavaliers are currently No. 1 in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings with just 23 games remaining in the regular season schedule.

McGregor, on the other hand, is days away from his showdown with Diaz, which headlines UFC 196’s pay-per-view main card following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

For more on UFC 196, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.