Banned UFC fighter Rousimar Palhares says he ‘would kill weak Conor McGregor’

Conor McGregor has made his fair share of enemies during his time in the UFC.

The featherweight champion had already upset nearly everyone in the 145lb division during his rise to the top, but then his attempts to claim the lighweight belt rubbed a few too many people the wrong way. Many celebrated when The Notorious was submitted by Nate Diaz during the second round of their UFC 196 bout, with featherweight nemesis Jose Aldo saying McGregor will be forgotten by the end of the year. But the Irishman's fame reaches those no longer involved in the UFC, with famed grappler Rousimar Palhares apparently interested in taking him on. The Brazilian has not fought in the UFC since 2013, when he was kicked out of the promotion by Dana White for not releasing a heel hook submission after his opponent tapped out. But the welterweight admits he would like the chance to take on The Notorious. "I would consider returning to the UFC just to fight McGregor," he said. "I would kill him. He is too small and weak in Jiu Jitsu to beat me. It would be a privilege to fight him but I would dominate with my ground game and submit him easily. "When I play the fight in my head I see him giving in from a foot hold. "He is too small to beat me. He shouldn't be in my division but a fight is a fight."