Teddy Atlas is widely regarded to be one of the greatest trainers in the long history of boxing, but he doesn’t believe that the best UFC strikers would stand a chance against “C” level boxers.
“All these UFC guys, they’re genuinely tough, tough guys,” Atlas said to ESPN. “And they have grappling skills that get you on the floor. For the average athlete, it’s all over, but as far as boxing — and it’s not a knock on them, it’s just a fact of my world — they’re cavemen. They would not beat C-level fighters.”
There has been a lot of talk about UFC Featherweight Champion and UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor facing the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the boxing ring and an MMA cage. Atlas doesn’t believe that McGregor would win against the boxing great.
“(McGregor) would last as long as Mayweather would allow him to last for,” he continued. “It’s just primitive. Their skills striking — they call it striking, we call it boxing, standing on your feet, chucking punches — It’s primitive compared to the elite boxers. Even lower than the elite level boxers, Class C boxers that are professional fighters would have an easy time with these guys. It’s a different story if they can take you in their world. If they can take you on the floor, and grapple, and do those sort of things, then as I said, it’s a different story. But as far as strictly adhering to boxing rules? No contest, baby.”
McGregor last competed at UFC 205 defeating Eddie Alvarez to become Lightweight Champion. Mayweather Jr. has not competed since retiring from boxing earlier this year and Atlas continues training some of the best boxers in the world today.
