One of the only active fighters Conor McGregor respects gives his UFC 197 prediction

Conor McGregor is a big fan of Demetrious Johnson so he will surely take these comments on-board.

McGregor is, first and foremost, a fan of the fight game. He may not throw out too many compliments about fighters in the feather- and lightweight division but he has often waxed lyrical about Ronda Rousey's exploits and Johnson's undoubted abilities. https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/640388205804679169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Johnson believes McGregor can repeat his KO win over Jose Aldo, at UFC 194, if lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos comes out swinging, likes his humbled compatriot. Johnson told Fighting Affect:

"Conor McGregor is not a small guy at 155; he's a big dude... If RDA over-extends and gets too wild with his shots, Conor will pick his shots. "It is no secret that Conor has heavy hands. He knows the right shots and how to pick it. "He knows the soft spot of the face and, if he lands there, it will be an easy night and an easy cheque for him to go and cash it. He can go and buy some nice toys that spit fire."

Johnson believes the only chance RDA has is to push McGregor to the brink, wrestle him to the ground and grind out a win. However, he does not see McGregor breaking. https://youtu.be/m7PPGsTwwvM The flyweight champion has been inspired by McGregor's quest to win two UFC titles in two divisions, at UFC 197. However, he has told his paymasters he wants $2m to even contemplate a super-fight with bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz. Johnson told Submission Radio, "You’ve got RDA taking on Conor McGregor, Conor McGregor trying to make history, getting two belts... But at the same time, the money’s gotta be right, the stars have got to align." Johnson wants to break Anderson Silva's record for title defences [10] and increase his marketability before he even contemplates tackling Cruz. "When I've done that and I have more marketing power and marketability and everyone’s loving me, then I’ll be like, ‘You know, I beat Anderson Silva’s record, now it’s time to go beat Conor McGregor’s record. He didn’t become two-weight champion, he lost to RDA. I’m gonna see if I can do it by Dominick Cruz’. "And by any means it will not be an easy fight. Dominick Cruz is an absolute beast."