We caught up with Mike Wilkinson following a devastating first round knockout victory against Niklas Backstrom at UFC Fight Night 53 in Stockholm, Sweden. Wilkinson spoke about his 16 month lay-off from fighting, the experience in Sweden and his goals going forward, but what every MMA fan seems to be looking out for these days is the next twist in the on-going Conor McGregor takeover. So as a fellow UFC Featherweight, we got Mike’s take on ‘The King of Dublin’ himself.
The former CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight champion has the world of MMA at his feet following yet another first round TKO triumph against Dustin Poirier at UFC 178, and almost two weeks later it’s all anyone can discuss. Every big name in the MMA bubble has had their say, including most recently the top contender in the featherweight division, Chad Mendes.
"The guy talks a lot of shit. But I think he's great for the sport. It's an eye opener for a lot of people to bring that much recognition to the featherweight division and to the sport of the UFC. But don't get me wrong, I would love to punch this dude right in the face. He's a big talker, he's got the skill set to back it up, but I don't think he's on my level yet.
Mendes continued: "I think a guy like Dennis Bermudez, honestly, would beat him. I think a guy like Clay Guida, even Nik Lentz. I think all three of those guys will test him very well and most likely beat him."
Whether you love him or hate him, McGregor is on everyone’s mind and that’s exactly how the Irishman wants it, every fighter craves the attention he has whether they agree with how he gets it or not, however Wilkinson sees both sides of the story, and even sees some similarities between McGregor and himself.
Wilkinson said: “I think he’s doing everything right, a lot of people don’t like him but he’s selling himself really well. He thinks a lot like me, he envisions it like me and I can see what’s happening. It’s all part of the law of attraction, so I understand what Conor’s saying and I understand what he’s believing.
“He’s absolutely bang on with what he says, in fighting there’s only yourself that you’ve got to worry about, it doesn’t matter what’s in front of you.”
Despite some shared beliefs, Mike has one distinguished difference from Conor, however he’s one of the few fighters who accepts the flip-side for what it is.
He added: “The only thing that I don’t agree with is disrespecting the other fighters who are doing well in the UFC, I’m not one to disrespect fighters, that’s just him. If he wants to do that then that’s fair enough.
"But what he’s doing is perfect and good on him.”
A long with the notoriety of being a top contender in your given division comes a whole weight of expectation to continuously deliver the goods, not only that, but McGregor himself has now painted a huge target on his back, whomever takes out the rising star will shoot straight up the rankings and Wilkinson fancies his chances.
“I’ve no doubt that I will meet him at the top of the pile, in my fight with Conor I’d push the pace, a lot of fighters just play into his game and take the backwards step, letting him throw shots, but it’s not about what he’s going to throw, it’s about what you’re going to throw.
“I know that if I catch anyone in that division with the power that I’ve got it would have the same outcome as the weekend.”
Mike has his eyes fixed firmly on the gold and he feels like it’s his time to climb the ladder, and if his performance in Stockholm is anything to build from, then a potential match-up with McGregor down the road could certainly ‘move the needle’.
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