Conor McGregor has slammed "sausage" Canelo Alvarez after the Mexican claimed he could beat the UFC star with one hand tied behind his back.
McGregor currently has two fights remaining on his deal with the UFC and will return this year in a planned showdown with Michael Chandler. Despite his pedigree in the MMA ranks, the Irishman has also fought in the boxing ring in 2017 against Floyd Mayweather and has regularly teased a return to the squared circle.
Last week the UFC star attended Katie Taylor's defeat to Chantelle Cameron in Dublin, during which he called out current undisputed 168lb champion Alvarez to a boxing showdown. He said: "I saw [John] Ryder, I'm a southpaw, Ryder was a southpaw, Billy Joe [Saunders] was a southpaw, I've seen methods, I've seen things I'd do. I know he's waning, I'd fight Canelo no f****g problem. Out straight. No problem."
Since the call-out Alvarez spoke about a potential fight, responding: "The truth is I haven't seen what he said because I don't have my social networks on my phone right now, but I'll beat him with one hand on his back."
Now McGregor has attempted to ignite a feud on social media hitting back at the prediction, tweeting: "Canelo you little ginger sausage. I’d beat you with NO HANDS. Don’t forget." Alvarez would of course be the overwhelming favourite if the pair did meet in the ring given his vast pedigree at an elite level.
However McGregor's brash confidence saw him previously thrust into a clash with Mayweather, during which he managed to survive ten rounds before being stopped. If the pair did lace up their gloves and meet, it will likely be much further down the line given their separate commitments including McGregor's 170lb comeback in the UFC.
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The 34-year-old is looking to prove that he can return at the top level that he set earlier in his career where he made a huge rise to become a two-weight UFC champion. A win in his clash against Chandler, which is yet to be officially scheduled, could see him earn a surprise title shot against current division champion Leon Edwards.
And he has made an equally emphatic prediction for his return fight in the cage. "I think I'm going to slice through him," McGregor told The Mac Life. "I think I'm a little too slicey for him than anyone else he's fought. A little too snappy and whippy and I think I'll slice through him. 185, that's what I said to him yesterday; 'Do you know what weight we're doing, are you alright with 185?' Just having a buzz with him, he's a nice boy.
"I like Michael, I had a good little buzz with him yesterday. I think he's a good fighter, coaching against him? He's more of an athlete type of a guy than a technical martial artist. I know he’s got some skills in the wrestling department and he’s got some skills overall. As far as the small, finer details, I’m interested to see."
