McGregor Backs UFC Newcomer Humphrey's 'Average' Take
Ronald Humphrey called Islam Makhachev and the UFC welterweight top 10 'average,' and Conor McGregor agreed with him.
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New UFC welterweight signee Ronald Humphrey named Conor McGregor among the only "really good" fighters in the sport, and McGregor responded by agreeing with him on social media.
Humphrey, a 25-year-old undefeated prospect who punched his UFC ticket with a first-round finish on Dana White's Contender Series last month, laid out his hierarchy of the sport during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. Asked who actually clears the bar of elite, he kept the list short: "Really good is really hard to get. You've got [Jon] Jones, Conor [McGregor], and Demetrious Johnson. Other than that, everybody's average."
He didn't stop at compliments. Humphrey turned the same line into a shot at the welterweight division he's about to join, saying Islam Makhachev is "pretty good, but pretty good isn't exceptional," and that the top 10 dudes are good but not exceptional. He capped it off with a direct challenge to the division: "Just wait, give me some time, let me correct my skills, and let me find what I got. It's a wrap for these dudes, bro. It's a wrap."
Who Is Ronald Humphrey?
Ronald Humphrey is the newest name in the UFC welterweight division after finishing Alexis Miranda on Contender Series. Four of Humphrey's five professional wins have come by knockout, with all four of those stoppages coming in the first round, while his most recent victory came by way of a first-round submission against Alexis Miranda. Humphrey bloodied up Miranda before securing a rear-naked choke at 4:03 to earn his UFC contract. That kind of finishing rate is exactly why Dana White handed him a contract on the spot, and it's also why a callout this bold from a fighter with just five pro fights carries more weight than the usual Contender Series bluster.
Why McGregor's Reaction Matters
Conor McGregor rarely engages with fighters this far down the ladder, so his agreement gives Humphrey instant relevance before he's even had a UFC walkout. For a promotion always hunting for its next star personality, a confident finisher willing to call out a pound-for-pound great and an entire top 10 in the same breath is a made-for-marketing storyline. Whether Humphrey can back it up once matchmakers start testing him against actual UFC-level competition is the real question, and it's one nobody can answer until he's booked.
No fight has been announced for Humphrey yet, so there's nothing on the board for bettors to act on. But once his first UFC opponent is named, expect oddsmakers and fans to price him as a live betting angle given the attention his comments have already drawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ronald Humphrey say about Islam Makhachev?
Ronald Humphrey said Islam Makhachev is 'pretty good' but not exceptional, and that the UFC welterweight top 10 contenders are good but not exceptional either.
Did Conor McGregor really agree with Ronald Humphrey?
Yes, Conor McGregor reacted on social media agreeing with Ronald Humphrey's comments naming McGregor, Jon Jones, and Demetrious Johnson as the only truly elite fighters in MMA.
How did Ronald Humphrey earn his UFC contract?
Ronald Humphrey earned his UFC contract with a first-round submission win over Alexis Miranda on Dana White's Contender Series, finishing him with a rear-naked choke at 4:03.
