Following his close and controversial majority decision win over rival Nate Diaz in a classic bout at last night’s (Sat., August 20, 2016) UFC 202 from Las Vegas, the MMA world is in full discussion about just what – or whom – Conor McGregor’s next move will involve.
Diaz stated that he wouldn’t fight until he was granted a third match with McGregor in his media scrum (where he was self-medicating) following the card, but during a post-fight interview with FOX Sports, UFC President Dana White revealed that wouldn’t be happening as of now.
“We’re definitely not doing this a third time right now. I don’t think there’s anybody that doesn’t want to see this fight again, but Conor’s either going to go defend his title or give his title up and then we’ll figure out where to go from there.”
Much of the talk centered on “The Notorious” today involves him cutting back down to featherweight (his last two bouts against Diaz were at welterweight) to defend his 145-pound title against interim champ Jose Aldo, whom he knocked out to originally win the belt.
McGregor himself hinted that’s where his career could take him next, but with a noticeable foot injury reportedly stemming from Diaz checking one of his many low kicks last night, the future, at least immediately, is somewhat uncertain for the UFC’s golden draw.
There’s hardly a doubt that a third match between he and Diaz would do some of the biggest business in UFC history, and it could be tough to think that a second bout with Aldo would do the same. It will always be there, however, and Diaz can probably be taken on his word that he won’t be fighting anyone else in the meantime.
It seems like a curious proposal from White, too, as he’s repeatedly stated McGregor would be forced to move back down to featherweight in an age where the biggest potential money-making fight is often booked instead of the one that makes the most sense according to rank. “Notorious” also called out for a third bout with Diaz, this time at the veteran’s usual home of 155 pounds, in his post-fight interview in the Octagon. What should the UFC do with its biggest star next?
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