Early evening on Wednesday, the UFC announced several bouts for the long-awaited UFC 200. Topping the announcements was the main event: a rematch between Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor. Also announced was an interim featherweight title tilt between Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar.
Did you think Aldo vs. Edgar II would be the co-main event? Well, start pumping those breaks.
Late Wednesday night, Dave Deibert of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix reported that the co-main event has yet to be confirmed. UFC president Dana White texted Postmedia, “When this card is finished being announced … minds will be blown.”
For now, it is merely a guessing game as to what could slide into the co-main event slot ahead of the interim featherweight contest. Most of the championships are already in play and can likely be ruled out. Of those champions available to compete—Miesha Tate (bantamweight) and Robbie Lawler (middleweight)—the smart money would be on Lawler defending his welterweight title.
There were rumblings that UFC 200 was going to play host to McGregor vs. Lawler, but McGregor’s loss to Diaz put that on hold. After UFC 196, both White and UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta liked the idea of Diaz assuming that role against the 170-pound champion. It seems to have always been the plan for Lawler to defend his belt in Las Vegas on July 9.
The names at the top of the contenders list have to be No. 3-ranked contender Tyron Woodley and No. 4-ranked Carlos Condit. Yet, there will no doubt be some speculation that it could be a returning Georges St. Pierre. The flames of GSP’s return were stoked most recently by Rory MacDonald during his appearance on The MMA Hour.
Whatever the co-main event ends up being, one thing is for sure: UFC 200 is going to be loaded from top to bottom with great fights. It is the can’t-miss event of the summer.
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