Conor McGregor has a lot on his plate today (Tues. February 14, 2017) for his business trip to Las Vegas. With rumors running rampant that a highly-anticipated superfight between McGregor and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. is close to being finalized, ‘The Notorious One’ finds himself in ‘Sin City’ today to perhaps get one step closer
Conor McGregor has a lot on his plate today (Tues. February 14, 2017) for his business trip to Las Vegas.
With rumors running rampant that a highly-anticipated superfight between McGregor and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. is close to being finalized, ‘The Notorious One’ finds himself in ‘Sin City’ today to perhaps get one step closer to making the blockbuster bout happen.
According to a report from MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, McGregor is in town to clear up an issue with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), speak to Mayweather’s ‘The Money Team’, and then attend a meeting with the UFC:
McGregor's plan has been: meet with NAC to clear issue, then TMT, then UFC. That's what's going on now. Early stages of that plan.
The UFC lightweight champ won the strap back in his last Octagon appearance in the main event of UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden, where he knocked out Eddie Alvarez in the second round to become the first ever dual-weight champion in promotion history. Now just four months later in the co-main event of UFC 209 live on pay-per-view (PPV), No. 1 and 2-ranked lightweights Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson will collide for the interim title.
If McGregor does indeed step into the boxing ring with Floyd Mayweather for his next combat sports competition, it is highly possible that the future first-time father will walk off into the sunset with a boat-load of cash.
Do you think McGregor will ever fight under the UFC banner again? And will the fight with Mayweather really come to fruition?
Cris Cyborg feels that she is the true pound-for-pound best female mixed martial artist in the world, and she has the stats to back it up. Justino was in attendance during this past weekend’s (Sat. February 11, 2017) inaugural women’s featherweight title bout between Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208, and is
Cris Cyborg feels that she is the true pound-for-pound best female mixed martial artist in the world, and she has the stats to back it up.
Justino was in attendance during this past weekend’s (Sat. February 11, 2017) inaugural women’s featherweight title bout between Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie at UFC 208, and is likely to challenge the new Dutch champ after her unanimous decision win over ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’.
During a recent interview with FOX Sports, Cyborg stated that regardless of who is currently holding the title at 145 pounds, mixed martial arts (MMA) fans know who the true champion of the division is:
“ESPN and FOX Sports both have me ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound in women’s mixed martial arts. I haven’t lost in 10 years,” Cyborg said. “Until someone beats me I am No. 1 in the world no matter what belt is around my waist.”
The UFC’s original plans preferred Cyborg to be a part of the inaugural 145-pound title contest this past weekend, but the Brazilian knockout artist turned the bout down on multiple occasions due to the inability to make weight on time. Now Justino finds herself in a battle with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for a potential violation.
While in attendance at the Barclays Center this past weekend and watching De Randamie take home the featherweight crown, however, Justino was not disappointed that she was cage-side rather than inside the Octagon for the historic moment; but happy that the division has finally found its way to the UFC:
“I was not ready to fight Feb.11th. Germaine is a great fighter and a win over Holly only helps increase her star power,” Cyborg said. “It wasn’t disappointing to be sitting cage side, I was excited because the UFC has made the division. I am ranked No. 1 in the world at 145-pounds and feel confident the fans know that too.”
Photo by Ed Mulholland for USA TODAY Sports
De Randamie took home a controversial unanimous decision win over Holm after delivering late punches after the horn that signaled the round’s end, on two separate occasions. The referee failed to deduct a point from ‘The Iron Lady’ for the late shots, and given that each judge scored the contest 48-47 for De Randamie, the contest could have arguably ended in a draw had a point been taken.
As for how Cyborg had the bout scored, she believes the judges made the right decision in giving the former muay thai champ the nod:
“I had Germaine de Randamie winning. It was a close fight but the damage done by significant strikes by de Randamie made the difference in my opinion,” Cyborg said. “Holly needed to chain her wrestling transitions better to get that takedowns.”
After the contest De Randamie claimed she will need some time off to get surgery on her injured hand before making her first title defense. Cyborg is happy to give the featherweight champ the time she needs to recover, and already has an opponent in mind that she’d like to step into the Octagon with next to keep her busy:
“I am ready to enter fight camp now. If [de Randamie] is injured and can’t fight I would like a chance to fight Megan Anderson,” Cyborg said. “She is an interim champion for the belt I own and calling out fighters in the UFC.
“It only makes sense if [de Randamie] is not ready to fight that the UFC would offer her a contract and a chance to fight me on the biggest stage, inside the UFC octagon. I think it would be a great addition to the June event in Rio if she’s ready to fight.”
When asked why she turned down the two opportunities to compete for the inaugural featherweight title before, Cyborg revealed that her body was not ready to go through another vigorous weight cut so soon once again:
“I needed to give my body time to recover from my past two weight cuts. I’ve given my body a proper off season allowing it to recover and am ready to start training camp soon,” Cyborg said.
“My USADA situation is still ongoing and at this time I have no comment, but am hopeful my lawyer and doctors will resolve this and are cooperating fully with USADA.”
“Let’s go champ,” Cyborg said.
Do you think Cyborg will win her case against USADA? Who do you think we’ll see her fight next upon her Octagon return?
Bellator’s video which is dedicated to Russian legend’s attire is narrated by Adam Carolla. Ever-popular comedian Russell Peters and MMA legend Royce Gracie are among the stars in the video dedicated to the promotion’s video dedicated to the Fedor Emelianenko’s (and the MMA world’s) favourite striped sweater. Many familiar faces attempt to explain the influence of the “The […]
Bellator’s video which is dedicated to Russian legend’s attire is narrated by Adam Carolla. Ever-popular comedian Russell Peters and MMA legend Royce Gracie are among the stars in the video dedicated to the promotion’s video dedicated to the Fedor Emelianenko’s (and the MMA world’s) favourite striped sweater. Many familiar faces attempt to explain the influence of the “The […]
Alistair Overeem is throwing his support behind Junior dos Santos at UFC 211. ‘The Reem’ and ‘JDS’ previously met at UFC on FOX 17 in December of 2015, where Overeem won the contest via second round knockout. The Dutchman then went on to muster up a four-fight win streak before having it snapped by heavyweight
Alistair Overeem is throwing his support behind Junior dos Santos at UFC 211.
‘The Reem’ and ‘JDS’ previously met at UFC on FOX 17 in December of 2015, where Overeem won the contest via second round knockout. The Dutchman then went on to muster up a four-fight win streak before having it snapped by heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in the first round of their title bout this past September.
Overeem is looking to get back in the win column when he takes on Mark Hunt at UFC 209 live on pay-per-view (PPV). Dos Santos on the other hand has a title bout of his own to look forward to against Miocic, as he will challenge for the title at UFC 211 this May. Overeem feels that if ‘JDS’ emerges victorious come fight night in Dallas, he’s first in line for a crack at the throne (quotes courtesy of MMA Mania):
“That would be very good for my title attempts if Junior would win,” Overeem said. “Because the rematch could be there. So I’m definitely rooting for Junior in this one, for a change.”
If Overeem does want next in the title picture, however, he has to get through ‘The Super Samoan’ first. The pair previously met under the Dream banner back in 2008. Overeem took home the win with a first round submission with an americana.
How do you see the rematch between Overeem and Hunt going down this time around?
Rory MacDonald finally has his Bellator MMA debut set, and it’s a promising one. Despite talk of Paul Daley facing fellow Brit Michael “Venom” Page in London, Daley has been paired up with MacDonald to welcome the former UFC title challenger to Bellator. The fight will take place in May at Bellator 179, the promotion […]
Rory MacDonald finally has his Bellator MMA debut set, and it’s a promising one. Despite talk of Paul Daley facing fellow Brit Michael “Venom” Page in London, Daley has been paired up with MacDonald to welcome the former UFC title challenger to Bellator. The fight will take place in May at Bellator 179, the promotion […]
By now it’s no real secret: Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor is on the table.
It’s on the table to the extent Dana White has publicly made a first offer to the combatants, McGregor has insisted his next scrap will be under boxing rules, …
By now it’s no real secret: Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor is on the table.
It’s on the table to the extent Dana White has publicly made a first offer to the combatants, McGregor has insisted his next scrap will be under boxing rules, and Mayweather has talked almost exclusively of the Irishman as his next challenge.
There’s been some back-and-forth from all parties involved, as is the case with any negotiation, and opinions vary on the plausibility of the fight happening. Still, with talk as hot as it’s ever been about the crossover fight and people from both sides of the combat sports aisle weighing in, it’s hard not to think you’ll be watching Mayweather and McGregor slug it out by the end of 2017.
Part of the deal in the earliest stages of the discussion surrounding the bout has been talks of who will be responsible for building the undercard. If White is to be believed, it will be the UFC—a potential boon for the MMA giant, which would be granted the chance to get the sport in front of its largest pay-per-view audience ever (and maybe the largest pay-per-view audience ever).
If they’re going to secure that right and then pull it off with the proper pomp and circumstance, the promotion will need to put together a card full of title fights, proven stars and stars of tomorrow to truly maximize the opportunity.
Going on the presumption the event will be a five-fight main card taking place late this year and with Mayweather-McGregor in the main event slot, here are the four bouts that should support the two biggest names in the business on what would be the biggest night in UFC history.
Do you think Cyborg will win her case against USADA? Who do you think we’ll see her fight next upon her Octagon return?