Kiko Alonso talks McGregor Mayweather fight after practice

Apparently Miami Dolphins linebacker is a big fight fan. So much so that the local press opened their interview with questions about the upcoming Connor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather fight.

Alonso had a solid 2016 and the Dolphins decided that they needed him longer than a one year deal so this off-season they re-signed him to a new contract. It appears that Alonso, who said he wanted to remain inside, will indeed stay on the outside this season. Lawrence Timmons who joined the team during free agency gets the nod at the middle linebacker spot but Miami has been moving him outside and replacing him with rookie Raekwon McMillan.

What is good for the defense is that Alonso had more tackles than any other player last season and Timmons had over 100 for the Steelers giving Miami two 100 plus tackle linebackers. Miami has needed this unit to step up and last year the problems at linebacker helped drain the teams run defense.

Interestingly enough, this is the first year in Alonso’s career that he has had the same defensive system since arriving in the NFL. He was drafted by the Bills in 2013 then missed 2014 with an injury and was subsequently traded to the Eagles in 2015 who then traded him to Miami.

It’s hard to know what kind of player Alonso can be when he has been on three different teams since arriving in the NFL and this will be the first time that he plays for the same team in consecutive seasons. Barring injury.

Alonso spoke to the media after today’s first contact practice and you can read the full transcript below, courtesy of MiamiDolphins.com.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Linebacker Kiko Alonso

(I’ll give you a hard one right off the bat. Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather. What’s the prediction?) – “I’ve got Mayweather.”

(Decision? Knockout?) – “I’m saying knockout. I’m saying knockout Mayweather.”

(How much are you looking forward to that fight?) – “I’m glad we get to watch it, because it’s … We might have the day off. I’m looking forward to it. It’s like a once in a lifetime type fight. It’s going to be fun. It might not be much of a fight, but it’s going to be entertaining.”

(Are you trying to go to it?) – “No. I’m going to watch it on TV.”

(How do you think they’ve promoted the fight? Would you do anything differently?) – “I thought it was funny. The tour – the press tour – that was some funny stuff, like some WWE stuff.”

(How would you describe your comfort level now in your second year with the Dolphins?) – “I’m really comfortable. It’s nice going into a year and being comfortable in the system. This is my first year having the same defense, so it’s definitely nice.”

(With your QB Ryan Tannehill picks back-to-back days, were those reads, disguised? How’d you get him?) – “I was just dropping into coverage and I was kind of reading his eyes, and I was in the right place at the right time.”

(Kind of picking up where you left off last year with the takeaways aren’t you?) – “Yes. We’re just trying to make some plays, trying to help out the team.”

(It’s still early in the process, but how is the chemistry building with you and LB Lawrence Timmons?) – “Good. The more reps we get, the more comfortable we’re getting.”

(Anything about LB Lawrence Timmons that has stood out to you so far?) – “The guy plays hard. He brings some intensity. The guy loves the game and he’s just a great, great player. It’s going to be fun.”

(How do you feel like your skills translate to playing on the outside?) – “It’s not that different. At the end of the day, its run, hit, make plays. That’s what I’m going to try to do.”

(Does it give you a chance to do anything even better playing outside as opposed to in the middle?) – “I don’t know. We’ll see. I’m going to go try and do my part on the outside.”