The UFC has been making some real head scratcher decisions lately. Turning down Georges St-Pierre vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov is stupid, but makes a certain amount of sense when you understand UFC president Dana White’s general disdain for GSP. Then there’s Conor McGregor’s latest fight against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, which according to some is being held up because the UFC wants it to be the co-main event.
Wait, what? McGregor as co-main? The biggest draw in UFC history? Well, you see, the UFC is apparently so obsessed with the concept of title fights always being the main event, they won’t even allow a beltless McGregor to headline a card if a championship fight is included.
”It’s a main event fight for sure, no matter what,” MMA legend Chuck Liddell told TMZ Sports when asked about the situation. “Come on, Conor McGregor and Cowboy? F**k. Those are two of my favorite fighters. I love watching those guys fight. Whether you like those guys are not, personality wise, those guys are studs. They fight, they fight tough, they fight brave.”
As for whether McGregor is actually willing to sign on the dotted line against “Cowboy?”
”I think he’ll fight him, he’s a fighter, they should fight,” Liddell said. “It’s a great fight, they’re both good strikers, it’s gonna be a lot of fun. I’m excited for that fight, I hope it happens. I think McGregor’s pulling back to make sure he gets paid right. I think he’s playing it soft cuz he’s ‘I’m not backsliding on this fight, you gonna pay me enough to do this.’ I hope they pay him well for that fight. They should.”
Many are assuming there must be more to it than just the main event slot. Whatever the case, Chuck definitely thinks it’s a fight worth putting together.
”Conor, I don’t have to tell Conor anything,” he said. “He’ll get to it, Conor’ll fight anybody, anyplace, anytime. He’s a businessman too, he’s trying to make some money. I ain’t getting in the way of him making money, but make it happen, boy. I wanna see you and Cowboy get at it!”