Conor McGregor UFC 2015
Ireland's Conor McGregor, right, remains favored over Chad Mendes ahead of their UFC featherweight title fight Saturday in Las Vegas. Getty Images

They’ve only known each other as opponents for less than three weeks, but featherweight contenders Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes didn’t shy away from trash talk during the UFC 189 press conference Thursday.

As the hours ticked away before their battle for the UFC featherweight crown Saturday at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Mendes (17-2) preyed on the perception that McGregor is an inferior wrestler, but the Irishman quickly shot back.

"He's a one-dimensional fighter," Mendes said. "He's a stand-up fighter. Bottom line. He doesn't have anything else. I'm more well-rounded. I have power. I can put people to sleep on their feet, I can take you down and beat a hole in your face and I can submit you. What else can he do?"

McGregor (17-2) responded just like UFC fans have become accustomed.

"He'll do absolutely none of those things," McGregor said. "Not one little bit of a thing. He's a rookie. He's a novice in my eyes. He's a white belt on the mat. In the grappling exchanges, he will know as well and then panic will set in and then he will cower like a little girl and begin his little run. But I will catch him."

Clearly no love is lost between these two combatants, but as the odds currently stand, McGregor’s slightly ahead. According to Bovada.lv, McGregor’s odds to win improved from -175 a couple of days ago to -190, with Mendes holding steady as a +155 underdog.

Based on his reputation as one of the most ferocious strikers in UFC, the betting lines favor McGregor to win by knockout or technical knockout at 10/11. Mendes’ best chance appears to be submitting McGregor at 4/1 odds, with both of McGregor’s two career losses coming by submission.

Latest Odds

To win

McGregor -190

Mendes +155

Props

Mendes wins inside distance +300

Mendes wins by five-round decision +325

Mendes wins by decision or technical decision 13/4

Mendes wins by KO, TKO, or DQ 5/1

Mendes wins by submission 4/1

McGregor wins inside decision -130

McGregor wins by five-round decision +550

Mcgregor wins by decision or technical decision 5/1

McGregor wins by KO, TKO, or DQ 10/11

McGregor wins by submission 10/1

The full list of odds for UFC 189 and all the props can be found at Bovada.lv.