Midnight Mania! Kavanagh dismisses a McGregor return in 2017, wants Nate Diaz on St. Patrick’s Day

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

John Kavanagh doesn’t claim to have the influence with McGregor’s decisions that you might think he would have, but that doesn’t stop him from dreaming up matchups.

In his mind, the ideal return fight for Conor McGregor. would be the trilogy closer with Nate Diaz on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, in New York City. He also nixed rumors of a New Years Eve return for the Notorious. Via MMAFighting.com:

“December 30th is definitely not happening,” John Kavanagh told Mike Sheridan at the launch of the Original Penguin AW17 collection.

“I don’t know how these things get started, but they have a certain way of gaining momentum.

“I can also tell you that his manager rang me this morning saying that him and Conor had been in meetings all day. Obviously, tomorrow is when we would start to consider the date.

“If it was my choice, and I must stress that this is only my choice and that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, it would be Nate Diaz in March,” Kavanagh continued. “That’s what I would push towards.

“I have in my head that it would be a Paddy’s Day card in New York, Nate Diaz 3. I think that would be absolutely amazing. That’s what I would wish for.

“That’s what I’ll be leaning towards with my 0.1 percent influence when I meet with Conor and Audie (Attar) tomorrow. I want Diaz 3, Paddy’s Day in New York.

“Obviously, it could still be Canelo in May,” Kavanagh added, laughing.

It remains unclear how McGregor would justify skipping over the interim lightweight title holder, which will be the winner of next weekend’s Ferguson-Lee matchup at UFC 216. However, Conor has a long history of playing by his own rules, and in Kavanagh’s mind the hype behind a trilogy fight with Nate Diaz would justify any means to get there.

“At the end of the second fight, [Diaz] came over and he was very respectful to me. Behind it all there’s a nod and wink and a mutual respect for the fighting,” Kavanagh explained.

“Now, in saying that, when it’s announced I’m sure that Conor’s going to be going at him and Nate will go back at him. At this stage, I mention Diaz and people are shouting, ‘What about Khabib?’ or, ‘What about Tony?’ … And there’s Kevin Lee and some other guys, (people say) ‘They’re due their shot!’”

“Really, Conor doesn’t have to do that anymore. He won the featherweight belt, interim and unified. He won the lightweight belt. At this stage he’s only doing fights because they’re fun. A big fight build-up and to win that — that will do for me anyway.”

McGregor’s striking coach, the great Owen Roddy, concurred with Kavanagh on Diaz.

“I’d second that. I like the whole build-up of the Diaz brothers, it’s a bit mental and it’s exciting,” Roddy told Sheridan. “I think that’s why everybody likes to see those two guys fight. It’s just big when those guys start going back and forth. That’s what it’s all about.”

Kavanagh also thinks the stylistic matchup is one that guarantees fireworks. He is certainly correct on that score- both McGregor-Diaz 1 at UFC 196 and McGregor-Diaz II at UFC 202 were among the most entertaining of 2015. One could also make the claim that a fight with Tony Ferguson or Justin Gaethje would come with guaranteed excitement. Neither quite has the cache with MMA fans that Diaz has, though, and Kavanagh knows this. That unique build-up, perhaps the best rivalry in MMA today, sets Diaz apart.

“I always think that if I was develop a fighter that would give Conor his best or worst night, either way you look at it, I would come up with Nate Diaz,” Kavanagh said.

“He can walk through anything, he can match him somewhat in the trash talk and then you have the thing between Conor’s crew and his crew.

“For a bunch of reasons (Diaz is the right fight). It’s not just about being the right guy — that’s all amateur level. This is professional and it’s about entertainment.

“(MMA) is part sport, part entertainment and I just find it hard to think of a better build-up and a better show than that trilogy fight.”

I can’t say I would complain if McGregor got a third Diaz fight, but that’s also an evergreen bout. Diaz knows it is coming eventually and isn’t about to risk his payday by fighting anyone else; McGregor could win or lose his lightweight belt and a trilogy with Diaz would still draw huge numbers. I would prefer to see McGregor finally defend his title against the most legitimate opponent available, the winner of Ferguson-Lee.

Insomnia

Cruz vs. Rivera is a great matchup that has all the hallmarks of a split decision over three rounds.

HOLD UP!

Former champ @DominickCruz returns to face @JimmieRivera135 at #UFC219 @TMobileArena in Vegas | @Cyn_Calvillo faces @CarlaEsparza1 pic.twitter.com/kG4Cy4wxoc

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2017

The most casual wheel kick KO you will ever see.

We take it back to UFC 206 for this KOTW, which featured one of the most DEVASTATING wheel kicks ever seen! @GroovyLando #UFC216 pic.twitter.com/GM184FMwGB

— UFC (@ufc) September 27, 2017

Um… Joanna… you forgot something.

This is just a teaser – full video coming soon. I’m working with @alexis_salmeron to bring you a little glimpse into what #champcamp life … pic.twitter.com/ESFL3G9ddW

— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) September 27, 2017

That’s an odd way to call someone out

Can’t get you out of my head @PlatinumPerry pic.twitter.com/8uBJefSx3R

— Emil Valhalla Meek (@emilvalhalla) September 27, 2017

It’s very weird to see MMA legends when they were young with full heads of hair.

A young Bas Rutten. With hair. Not sure how to feel right now. pic.twitter.com/4SpI2nu1Ct

— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) September 27, 2017

Young Wanderlei pic.twitter.com/W31XZgakez

— Keith Ó Gealbháin (@KeithGalvin) September 27, 2017

I’ll see that and raise you a Don Frye with no moustache. pic.twitter.com/k7m1vPhwTB

— BigBabyJesus (@ArseBiscuits1) September 27, 2017

Derrick Lewis giving advice on a subject he knows well.

“The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis slid into the comments section of the MMAjunkie Instagram post on today’s Paige VanZant news. pic.twitter.com/jQlB5z0WSF

— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) September 27, 2017

I laughed.

When you realize you’re about to get ring worm from your owner. pic.twitter.com/TXx3mfxgGY

— ERIK303 (@ERIK_303) September 27, 2017

Remember when Ed Herman ripped his finger open? Here’s the sequel.

When you get bored jumping rope

Brian Viloria sensational rope skills pic.twitter.com/SLybUwRdhv

— EditinKing Boxing (@EditinKing) May 12, 2017

Megan Anderson hitting pads

When you trying to look fly on mitts but everyone wants to walk past pic.twitter.com/pcdSscxoWw

— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) September 28, 2017

Has Luke Rockhold ever thrown a combination longer than two punches?

Luke Rockhold Sparring https://t.co/o4dhFdNZyK

— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) September 28, 2017

Start ‘em young

Canelo Alvarez training the next generation pic.twitter.com/ntSMKTLs6v

— BoxingTipster (@AgainstTRopes) September 27, 2017

The Ali Expansion Act is gaining some momentum in Congress.

Rep Barry Loudermilk is the 50th Congressional cosponsor to the Muhammad Ali Expansion Act https://t.co/8t8AqeQ9sr“party”%3A”all”%7D

— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) September 27, 2017

The 90’s Rock would be proud

Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Fannypackovic pic.twitter.com/4WlKLEZW5J

— Keith Ó Gealbháin (@KeithGalvin) September 26, 2017

Slips, Rips, and KO Clips

Fedor’s evil brother Aleksander Emelianenko won by KO today.

Aleksander Emelianenko TKOs Gerônimo Dos Santos in about 30s. (WFCA42) pic.twitter.com/IOiS0lzxXK

— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) September 27, 2017

You ever lift someone off the ground by their neck and they get mad when the fight is stopped?

Umaraki Akhmatow was upset by this stoppage despite Yanis Cheemmauri made him fly in this guillotine (WWFC) pic.twitter.com/iCd1Eu2hYa

— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) September 27, 2017

Sometimes a knockout is as simple as throwing a right hand at the right moment

Alexey Efremov TKOs Ildemar Alcântara in 3R (WFCA42) pic.twitter.com/e1FUrTvZ8d

— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) September 27, 2017

Gokhan Saki’s first UFC fight last weekend was a one-round barnburner. Saki gave his walk-off KO the Super Saiyan treatment.

Speed kills. Super Saiyan Saki. #ufc #dragonballz pic.twitter.com/KTK0sCcICL

— Gokhan Saki (@gokhantherebel) September 27, 2017

That’s a bad place to be trapped in a fight.

Shota was about 1.5 m. in this helpless crucifix pos. Ref. decided not to stop until the bell. Shota was unable to cont.. Betergaraev by TKO pic.twitter.com/WVJQtbFa3b

— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) September 27, 2017

I await the day the powers that be make grounded knees legal again

this was a nasty illegal knee by Akhmed Shervaniev (vs. Svyatoslav Shabanov) but they continue. Shervaniev got yellow card (WFCA) pic.twitter.com/v1UKUBfgEd

— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) September 27, 2017

Quick Hits

Podcasts and Video

Top fights to watch in October- follow MMA Mania on Youtube for more

This Heavy Hands interview is a good discussion of slightly more abstract concepts like ringcraft and confidence

Jack Slack’s Fights Gone By

FGB 53: Hail, King Gordon https://t.co/0IlIzcvVMK via @YouTube

— Jack Slack (@JackSlackMMA) September 27, 2017

The Fight Society podcast

New podcast as @IamTheImmortal returns as co-host for the entire show to discuss his retirement and much morehttps://t.co/16KxmVDxiP pic.twitter.com/qx7E59oxDl

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) September 27, 2017

Random Land

This 1969 Playboy piece on quarterback Joe Namath is an incredible read and a much deeper interview than any modern sports profile I’ve seen.

Stay woke, Maniacs! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @Vorpality

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

John Kavanagh doesn’t claim to have the influence with McGregor’s decisions that you might think he would have, but that doesn’t stop him from dreaming up matchups.

In his mind, the ideal return fight for Conor McGregor. would be the trilogy closer with Nate Diaz on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, in New York City. He also nixed rumors of a New Years Eve return for the Notorious. Via MMAFighting.com:

“December 30th is definitely not happening,” John Kavanagh told Mike Sheridan at the launch of the Original Penguin AW17 collection.

“I don’t know how these things get started, but they have a certain way of gaining momentum.

“I can also tell you that his manager rang me this morning saying that him and Conor had been in meetings all day. Obviously, tomorrow is when we would start to consider the date.

“If it was my choice, and I must stress that this is only my choice and that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, it would be Nate Diaz in March,” Kavanagh continued. “That’s what I would push towards.

“I have in my head that it would be a Paddy’s Day card in New York, Nate Diaz 3. I think that would be absolutely amazing. That’s what I would wish for.

“That’s what I’ll be leaning towards with my 0.1 percent influence when I meet with Conor and Audie (Attar) tomorrow. I want Diaz 3, Paddy’s Day in New York.

“Obviously, it could still be Canelo in May,” Kavanagh added, laughing.

It remains unclear how McGregor would justify skipping over the interim lightweight title holder, which will be the winner of next weekend’s Ferguson-Lee matchup at UFC 216. However, Conor has a long history of playing by his own rules, and in Kavanagh’s mind the hype behind a trilogy fight with Nate Diaz would justify any means to get there.

“At the end of the second fight, [Diaz] came over and he was very respectful to me. Behind it all there’s a nod and wink and a mutual respect for the fighting,” Kavanagh explained.

“Now, in saying that, when it’s announced I’m sure that Conor’s going to be going at him and Nate will go back at him. At this stage, I mention Diaz and people are shouting, ‘What about Khabib?’ or, ‘What about Tony?’ … And there’s Kevin Lee and some other guys, (people say) ‘They’re due their shot!’”

“Really, Conor doesn’t have to do that anymore. He won the featherweight belt, interim and unified. He won the lightweight belt. At this stage he’s only doing fights because they’re fun. A big fight build-up and to win that — that will do for me anyway.”

McGregor’s striking coach, the great Owen Roddy, concurred with Kavanagh on Diaz.

“I’d second that. I like the whole build-up of the Diaz brothers, it’s a bit mental and it’s exciting,” Roddy told Sheridan. “I think that’s why everybody likes to see those two guys fight. It’s just big when those guys start going back and forth. That’s what it’s all about.”

Kavanagh also thinks the stylistic matchup is one that guarantees fireworks. He is certainly correct on that score- both McGregor-Diaz 1 at UFC 196 and McGregor-Diaz II at UFC 202 were among the most entertaining of 2015. One could also make the claim that a fight with Tony Ferguson or Justin Gaethje would come with guaranteed excitement. Neither quite has the cache with MMA fans that Diaz has, though, and Kavanagh knows this. That unique build-up, perhaps the best rivalry in MMA today, sets Diaz apart.

“I always think that if I was develop a fighter that would give Conor his best or worst night, either way you look at it, I would come up with Nate Diaz,” Kavanagh said.

“He can walk through anything, he can match him somewhat in the trash talk and then you have the thing between Conor’s crew and his crew.

“For a bunch of reasons (Diaz is the right fight). It’s not just about being the right guy — that’s all amateur level. This is professional and it’s about entertainment.

“(MMA) is part sport, part entertainment and I just find it hard to think of a better build-up and a better show than that trilogy fight.”

I can’t say I would complain if McGregor got a third Diaz fight, but that’s also an evergreen bout. Diaz knows it is coming eventually and isn’t about to risk his payday by fighting anyone else; McGregor could win or lose his lightweight belt and a trilogy with Diaz would still draw huge numbers. I would prefer to see McGregor finally defend his title against the most legitimate opponent available, the winner of Ferguson-Lee.

Insomnia

Cruz vs. Rivera is a great matchup that has all the hallmarks of a split decision over three rounds.

The most casual wheel kick KO you will ever see.

Um… Joanna… you forgot something.

That’s an odd way to call someone out

It’s very weird to see MMA legends when they were young with full heads of hair.

Derrick Lewis giving advice on a subject he knows well.

I laughed.

Remember when Ed Herman ripped his finger open? Here’s the sequel.

When you get bored jumping rope

Megan Anderson hitting pads

Has Luke Rockhold ever thrown a combination longer than two punches?

Start ‘em young

The Ali Expansion Act is gaining some momentum in Congress.

The 90’s Rock would be proud

Slips, Rips, and KO Clips

Fedor’s evil brother Aleksander Emelianenko won by KO today.

You ever lift someone off the ground by their neck and they get mad when the fight is stopped?

Sometimes a knockout is as simple as throwing a right hand at the right moment

Gokhan Saki’s first UFC fight last weekend was a one-round barnburner. Saki gave his walk-off KO the Super Saiyan treatment.

That’s a bad place to be trapped in a fight.

I await the day the powers that be make grounded knees legal again

Quick Hits

Podcasts and Video

Top fights to watch in October- follow MMA Mania on Youtube for more

This Heavy Hands interview is a good discussion of slightly more abstract concepts like ringcraft and confidence

Jack Slack’s Fights Gone By

The Fight Society podcast

Random Land

This 1969 Playboy piece on quarterback Joe Namath is an incredible read and a much deeper interview than any modern sports profile I’ve seen.

Stay woke, Maniacs! Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @Vorpality