In light of the news that UFC featherweight champ Conor McGregor will next face Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight crown, it’s clear that the Irishman holds all the cards and calls all the shots.
The UFC’s return to New York, after being blackballed for over two decades, was always going to be a monumental night for the elite mixed martial arts promotion.
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The November 13 (AEST) event at Madison Square Garden was already a talent-rich event, with a welterweight and women’s strawweight title fight penciled in to headline the card.
While that was an appetising serving for the diehard followers of the product, it was apparent that casual observers wouldn’t be rushing to scoop up tickets without McGregor’s bearded face on the poster.
Over the past week, UFC president Dana White hushed talks of McGregor fighting at MSG, claiming the knockout puncher was injured and could not compete on the blockbuster pay-per-view.
Then he told Yahoo Sports that McGregor’s next bout will be against Jose Aldo for the featherweight championship – a title he won in December, before immediately skipping town to take on bigger opponents.
Then he said Alvarez, the UFC lightweight champion, would face number-one contender Khabib Nurmagomedov.
All of those statements turned out to be completely false.
“This is the fight the fans wanted, and I’m excited that our very first event at Madison Square Garden will be headlined by Eddie Alvarez defending the lightweight title against Conor McGregor,” White told ESPN on a Tuesday edition of SportsCentre.
“This card has three world title fights and is the best card in UFC history.”
This marks McGregor’s third fight of the year and third fight outside of the featherweight division.
Unsurprisingly, the 28-year-old will enter the fight as champion, despite White’s previous insistence that he must defend his title or “make a decision to give it up.”
It’s abundantly clear that McGregor is never coming back to featherweight, and the gold belt is little more than a prop for the pay-per-view magnet. (Click to Tweet)
McGregor plans to make history, becoming the first fighter to simultaneously hold two UFC championships in two divisions, but that dream is completely handcuffing one of the most exciting divisions in the UFC.
The 145-pound class has been in a state of purgatory all year, with the top contenders anxiously waiting for McGregor to make a decision on the future of the championship.
One of the big factors behind the UFC’s growth into a combat sports powerhouse is, more often than not, the promotion urging champions to face the most qualified contender.
In an era of boxing that is built around behind-the-scenes drama and politicking, it’s refreshing to have a rival sport where the elite champions are in a constant state of vulnerability.
With McGregor now holding the record for two of the three most lucrative fights in mixed martial arts history, he has the power to force the UFC’s hand.
To his credit, the Irishman hasn’t abused his power to hand-pick easy matches, but he is making a habit of leaving egg on his boss’ face.
White is used to playing by a different set of rules, against far less savvy players. And as long as McGregor can still attract pay-per-view audiences in the millions, the bald-headed promoter better get used to asking – not telling – King Conor what his future entails.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Don't feel sorry for Khahib. This was Conor's fight he was owed months ago
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Well this was Conor's fight before RJA got hurt and he had to fight Diaz to save that card
Gavin
Guest
He didnt beat a former champion; he beat THE champion. 10 years undefeated, beat the likes of mendez, florian, edgar, faber....and conor comes in and finishes him in 13 seconds. Say what you will about that fight but at the end of the day conor took the belt home and thats something no one else could do. The reason the division hasnt moved since conor moved up in weight is exactly as conor said; it weakens the division to strip him of his title and give it to someone else. Thats true at least while there is a slim chance of him defending it.
Kavvy
Guest
Isaac, love your live blogs when I can't catch the PPV's or Fight nights. Anyway Re McGregor he'd have to vacate the 145 belt if he beats Eddie. He clearly struggles (or will struggle) with the weight cut and doesnt/shouldnt do it anymore. I know you're comment around 170 is more tongue in cheek to emphasise how much Conor is calling the shots over Dana but there is no way Mac could hang with the top dudes at that weight (I'm a huge conor fan btw) not with guys like Woodley or Wonderboy or Meia or Robbie. 155 is stacked as it is but it's Conor's natural weight and he could do well there
Kavvy
Guest
The card is amazing Woodley v Wonderboy, Khanin v Johnson, Cerrone, Weidman, Joanna, Cowboy on all the card. It's the MSG factor but yeah this is what 200 should have looked like. Will be amazing
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Aldo has reportedly asked to be released from his UFC contract, which is a shame. Not sure if Dana White will allow it though. It's a interesting fight (Alvarez / McGregor), however, it just doesn't seem fair. Ethically, I actually find it wrong. The UFC is a business at the end of the day, but when you hold a belt, you should defend it. Dana was going to make Aldo drop the featherweight belt to fight Pettis for the lightweight belt. Also, what's going to happen if Conor wins? Is he holding two divisions hostage by moving up to 170? Is he just going to drop the 145 belt and say that he was the champ even though he never defended? I do like Conor, but for the first time I find myself rooting against him. I hope Alvarez wins this fight. I can't help but feel sorry for the rest of the 145 (and 155) division, the fighters that are being held up, especially Khabib, who I can't see losing ever. I don't think McGregor should be allowed to hold two belts, when he it is highly unlikely that he will ever defend the 145 one. I recall Dana saying that McGregor agreed to fight four times a year, twice at featherweight and twice at lightweight. So far he has fought twice at welterweight. Alternatively, the UFC should just scrap the rankings system altogether. If they are moving towards big fights / events, this whole ranking systems seems rather pointless. With that being said, I'm still planning on sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the fight. Should be an insane card.
Justin Faux
Expert
This idea that Conor McGregor absolutely decimated the division is just wrong. He beat a contender (Mendes), a former champion (Aldo) and a rookie, who has blossomed into a contender (Holloway). Those are his accomplishments at 145-pounds.
Justin Faux
Expert
"Dana looking after his prized possession." That part is completely false. Dana White has been pushing for McGregor to return down to featherweight to rematch Jose Aldo all year (a less risky fight, against an opponent he flatlined in 13 seconds last December) but the Irishman won't budge. I agree that in a fair world McGregor would have to knock off a top contender to get a crack at the title, but life ain't fair and neither is prize fighting.
Justin Faux
Expert
To your first point, having spoken to several people within the UFC, it's apparent the promotion is gearing toward "mega events" centered around Conor McGregor, and eventually Ronda Rousey when she returns to the fold. Problem is, the current regime (this could all change after the new owners take greater control in the coming months) don't have plans to slow the schedule. As for Khabib Nurmagomedov, I truly believe he beats every lightweight on the planet but he was used as a pawn in high-stakes game of chess this week. I'm glad he is staying on the card, though. Not only is the fight against Michael Johnson a ridiculously good match-up but he will also be fit and ready in case of a late pull out.
Justin Faux
Expert
I actually have no problem with Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez, it's champion-versus-champion and truly one of the most interesting fights to be made in the entire sport. My only problem is the featherweight division, which has been on autopilot since December.
Gavin
Guest
The only way I see conor going back to 145 is a loss to Alvarez - and he still may not go back if weight is too hard to cut. He tore the 145 division apart and has nothing to gain/prove by going back down. With a win at 155 he will sit there and keep taking the fights. He will give up his belt and keep the trash talk coming down to everyone at 145.
DJW
Guest
So Conor loses one fight and wins one against Diaz the 4th ranked fighter and gets a title shot. Should of had to fight Khabib for the shot but we are know that is a terrible match up for Conor as Khaib would take him to ground and pound him. Dana looking after his prized possession. Aldo was champion for so long and still hasn't had a rematch, He should be right aggrieved. I don't think Conor can make weight at that division anymore and has no plans to defend that title.
jimmy
Guest
Firstly, the 205 card is what the 200 card should have looked like! Ridiculously stacked, and a number of entertaining fighters you know will put on a good show (ie. Cowboy, Wonderboy, Joanna, Khabib, even Jim Miller vs Alves will be great!) Still hard to believe that Khabib vs Johnson is the sixth fight down the list... I actually think the UFC should have more events like this. Hold fewer PPVs and build stronger cards. I love MMA, but honestly, there is just too much of it! A UFC event every week is madness...fewer but better events would be great. Onto Conor...I think Dana is doing the right thing here. Yes, Conor is holding up Featherweight but Aldo has the Interim belt and a fight with Holloway would keep the division moving along, just as the Edgar vs Aldo fight did. Dana has said that if Conor beats Alvarez, he'll have to vacate one belt, so the featherweight belt could be available by the end of the year. I guess the big question is what happens if Eddie beats Conor...I don't particularly like the idea of Conor spending more months with the 145 title and no intention to cut weight again to defend it. He'd very likely want a rematch and that would really delay things at 145. The only person who should feel slighted is Khabib...but in fairness, he's had one fight in 2 years and that's really hurt his profile. Additionally, since entering the UFC, he hasn't exactly beaten the 'who's who' of the division. Other than RDA in 2014, he's fought few big names (comparatively, someone like RDA has faced, Cerrone twice, Pettis, Diaz, Ben Henderson, Jason High, Ev Dunham etc) Johnson is the right match up for him at this stage, and I still think Tony Ferguson fight needs to happen. One final though...interesting to see Alvarez and Conor face-to-face today at the media conference...Conor looks a lot bigger than Eddie! Used to seeing Mac next to Diaz...
Bones506
Roar Guru
McGregor deserves his shot at this. Aldo had pulled out of so many fights and made McGregor Wait for some time to get his title shot and Aldo provides nowhere near the PPV and the hype McGregor does. Alvarez is a very tough opponent and a real grinder so McGregor really needs to keep an eye on his energy levels as he has gased out in his last few fights. I live in NYC so I may well be ringside for this one.