There's no doubt that Conor McGregor is one of the most compelling characters in sport, not just in this country, but increasingly elsewhere.
But according to Yahoo Sports MMA writer Kevin Iole, the Dubliner has an ability to draw viewers and casual observers in a way only a few other MMA or boxing athletes can.
He told Off The Ball: "There's few people in the world who do that. Ronda Rousey does it, Conor McGregor does it, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao [do it]. I don't think anybody else at a high level of combat sports that really does what they do. I think it's those four people and that's it."
.@KevinI says McGregor is only rivaled by Ronda Rousey, Mayweather and Pacquiao as a best promoters in combat sports. #offtheball
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) July 13, 2015
Iole also analysed McGregor's first big test from an elite wrestler as Chad Mendes pushed him on Saturday night.
And although, he ultimately passed that test, Iole believes McGregor can still improve in one aspect of his repertoire.
"I do think there is a legitimate question that some people have asked that if Chad Mendes had an entire training camp, would it be the same thing. In that situation I think there's a case to be made that maybe Chad Mendes would have done better if he hadn't got gassed. So a result, I think Conor needs to improve on that area. He's not a perfect fighter. He's an outstanding fighter. There's nobody out there who is perfect. I think he needs to work a little bit on his take-down defence [but] I look at this guy as a really good fighter," he said.
