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Quote: Conor McGregor’s Lightweight Title Shot Is ‘Bulls***’

The MMA world is definitely awaiting the lightweight title main event between Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez at November 12’s UFC 205 from Madison Square Garden in New York City, yet there are still top 155-pound fighters who believe the booking is a bit of a joke. That’s nothing new, however, as McGregor’s leapfrogging of a

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That’s nothing new, however, as McGregor’s leapfrogging of a packed lightweight fray for his third consecutive fight outside of his division – where the belt sits collecting dust since last December – has caused a drawn-out uproar amongst fans and fighters alike ever since it was booked.

One lightweight who shares that sentiment is Michael Chiesa, who currently sits on the sidelines awaiting his recovery from the back injury that forced him out of a potentially great main event against Tony Ferguson this summer.

In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, ‘Maverick’ had some harsh criticism for ‘Notorious’ and his title shot, believing him to be in over his head as an easy out at 155:

I think it’s bullshit. I feel bad for the guys that have been leaped-frog by him. I do understand that there is an entertainment aspect to the sport and to this promotion, but I think you have to maintain the sport before you let a guy make moves like that. Do I like him being in my weight class? Yeah, because it’s a big money fight and I match up really well against him. I mean, I’d be one body-lock away from subbing him.

“Other than that, it doesn’t really… you know, I just feel bad for the Tony Fergusons, and the Nurmagomedovs, and these guys that have racked up these huge win streaks and they’re getting leaped-frogged by a dude, who really, I mean, we’ll find out if he has any business in our division on November 12, but until then, I don’t think he’s in the right spot. He needs to go back and do what’s right. He’s got Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis in his own weight class to deal with. So I hope Eddie puts him back down to 145, but if not welcome to your new home, welcome to the deep waters.

Chiesa’s far from the first fighter to question McGregor’s ground game, but it’s also difficult to question the Irish champ at least deserving a spot in the stacked 155-pound division, as he just beat top-ranked veteran Nate Diaz in a knockdown barnburner at August’s UFC 202. We’ll soon find out if he can beat the current best lightweight onthe planet, and if he does, a decision will have to be made about which title McGregor will defend next.

He’s already beaten Holloway, and Pettis, despite being an enticing style match-up with McGregor, has only won one fight at 145 pounds after dropping three straight at lightweight. That would mean bouts with Ferguson and/or Nurmagomedov could be on the horizon for ‘Notorious,’ and those would obviously be huge fights that were tough to pick.

With McGregor teasing some significant time off after UFC 205, we may unfortunately never get to see him take on the most dangerous 155-pound talent in the world.

Would he falter like Chiesa thinks he would, or would he rise to the occasion and silence his doubting peers?

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Dana White: UFC 205 Has Already Broken MSG Gate Record

This is big money, really big money… UFC 205 is set to pop off on November 12 from the Madison Square Garden in New York City. Following a near-20 year battle to get MMA legalized in NYC, the promotion will sink its teeth in to the Big Apple with a stellar card. Leading the UFC

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This is big money, really big money…

UFC 205 is set to pop off on November 12 from the Madison Square Garden in New York City. Following a near-20 year battle to get MMA legalized in NYC, the promotion will sink its teeth in to the Big Apple with a stellar card. Leading the UFC in to New York will be a lightweight title tilt between champion Eddie Alvarez and 145-pound boss Conor McGregor. ‘The Notorious’ got an immediate shot at lightweight gold, stirring up outrage among the top contenders of the division. Potentially retiring or taking an extended period off after UFC 205, McGregor once again has the MMA world captivated.

Aside from the record-breaking first show in NYC, and the fact McGregor could become the first champion with two belts at once, there are tons of great fights throughout the UFC 205 card. Putting the strawweight title on the line is striking queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk, as she battles fellow Polish national Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Tyron Woodley will defend his welterweight strap against arguably the best striker in the division, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson.

Welcome To New York City

The event also features Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero, Frankie Edgar vs. Jeremy Stephens, Nurmagomedov vs. Michael Johnson, Gastelum vs. Cerrone and plenty more. Aiming to break the current gate record set by Evander Holyfield vs. Lennox Lewis in 1999 is no easy task, but UFC president Dana White says the card on November 12 has already surpassed that $13.5 million milestone.

Speaking during Friday night’s FOX Sports pregame show for game three of the world series, White confirmed UFC 205 has already broken the MSG gate record. Previous t this event, the all-time UFC gate record was set at UFC 129 in Toronto, with some 56K in attendance for a $13.5 million USD gate.

.@ufc President @danawhite joined the Game 3 pregame show to discuss #UFC205, #CLEvsCHC & of course @PeteRose_14. https://t.co/otCsHJWIqx

— FS1 (@FS1) October 29, 2016

“I wanted to make sure when (the UFC) went to New York we delivered. It’s the biggest baddest card we’ve ever done in the history of the company.”

UFC 205 Fight Card

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

Lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez vs. featherweight champ Conor McGregor – for lightweight title
Champ Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson – for welterweight title
Champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz – for strawweight title
Yoel Romero vs. Chris Weidman
Donald Cerrone vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Raquel Pennington vs. Miesha Tate

PRELIMINARY CARD (FS1, 8 p.m. ET)

Frankie Edgar vs. Jeremy Stephens
Michael Johnson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Rashad Evans vs. Tim Kennedy
Vicente Luque vs. Belal Muhammad

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 6:30 p.m. ET)

Thiago Alves vs. Jim Miller
Tim Boetsch vs. Rafael Natal
Liz Carmouche vs. Katlyn Chookagian

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Conor McGregor: I’m The Best Fighter In Any Weight Class

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History will be made at UFC 205, the question is just how much? The first ever event to be held in New York will prove to be a huge milestone for the promotion and sport as a whole, but the main event has us captivated just as much. Looking to spoil the Irish party will be lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, as he takes on Conor McGregor in a clash of champions. Only the 155-pound belt will be on the line, but this means the 28-year old featherweight champ stands to break a sacred record.

No champion in the history of the UFC has ever held belts in two weight classes at the same time. Many will argue ‘The Notorious’ has held the 145-pound strap hostage in his last two fights at 170 pounds, but the fact remains, he could be making history in the Big Apple. Taking to the stage at the UFC 205 pre-sale presser two weeks ago, McGregor and Alvarez got the banter going strong. Was ‘The Silent Assassin’ bothered by the trash talk? That’s yet to be seen.

Psychological Warfare

Speaking during a recent interview with Ask Men, Conor McGregor spoke about the impact of ‘trash talk’ on his opponents, and also his fights at welterweight:

“The term “trash talk” is such an American thing. I still laugh at it. Like I’m trying to hurt someone’s feelings? I’m an Irishman and a fighter — I don’t give a f*ck about feelings. As far as I’m concerned, I just speak the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts. It hurts because they have a weakness — and I exploit weakness. A fight is mental, not just physical and psychological warfare is absolutely part of that. It’s interesting they allow it. I guess I’m the stronger man.”

Weight

“I did what I set out to do — I beat him at 170. I think I am the greatest fighter in any class. I know I can hold two, maybe even three belts. So I have business to take care of back in and around my weight class. There’s a lot to talk about. I won’t ever shy away from a fight and if it makes sense down the road, I’ll do it. But it will be on my terms.”

Having competed in two weight classes so far, and a third coming up, is there a possibility of a fourth down the line? Surely middleweight is far too much of a task, although if anyone is willing to give it a try. UFC 205 takes place in the iconic Madison Square Garden on November 12.

Here’s the full fight card as it stands so far.

UFC 205 Fight Card

Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor (for Alvarez’s lightweight belt)
Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson (for Woodley’s welterweight belt)
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (for Jedrzejczyk’s strawweight belt)
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Michael Johnson
Yoel Romero vs. Chris Weidman
Donald Cerrone vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Raquel Pennington vs. Miesha Tate
Frankie Edgar vs. Jeremy Stephens
Rashad Evans vs. Tim Kennedy
Tim Boetsch vs. Rafael Natal
Thiago Alves vs. Jim Miller
Lyman Good vs. Belal Muhammad
Liz Carmouche vs. Katlyn Chookagian

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Conor McGregor Urges Ronda Rousey To ‘Shut Them All Up’

After 11 months (to the day) away from the Octagon following her second-round knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, the promotion announced this week that former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will return to the Octagon against Amanda Nunes in the main event of December 30’s UFC 207 from Las Vegas. ‘Rowdy’s’

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‘Rowdy’s’ return is no doubt the most anticipated in the 23-year history of the UFC, and women’s MMA has been in a state of disarray in her absence. To the surprise of most, Holm has dropped two fights in a row, the first to Miesha Tate in a shocking come-from-behind submission defeat at March 5’s UFC 196. Tate then went on to lose the belt in a heavily one-sided submission loss to Nunes, marking the third woman to hold the women’s bantamweight title since Rousey ruled with six straight finishes.

Those times are long gone in the ever-evolving world of MMA, however, and many are doubting Rousey can return to the effortless domination that propelled her to the enviable position as MMA’s most recognized persona. The backlash Rousey faced in the days and months after her loss to Holm was unprecedented, and fostered a sort of cycle that only heaped more outrage on her when she forced herself into a self-imposed exile away from the watchful eye of the media.

USATSI_8928305_168382968_lowres — Credit: Matt Roberts for USA TODAY Sports

While an easy and impressive Rousey win seemed like little more than a foregone conclusion less than a year ago, MMA fans now pick the bout with a much more measured degree of caution, especially against a champion with momentum like Nunes. Many of them may want Rousey to fail yet again, but the UFC’s current biggest star – featherweight champion Conor McGregor – isn’t among that group of haters.

His opinion on all topics in MMA now the most desired stance in the fight game, “The Notorious” recently told Sports Illustrated there is only one thing Rousey can do, and that’s silence her doubters by winning her long-held title back:

“I’d tell her to go shut them all up now,” McGregor told SI by phone. “Shut them all up. Go and stake your claim again.”

“I wish Ronda nothing but the best, it’s good to see her back,” he continued. “Some people take defeat and losses a certain way. You see how some fighters take losses. I’m happy she is ready to go again and I wish her well.

“Go and shut these people up now. Go and get what you began back. I’m excited to see how it unfolds.”

Encouraging words from McGregor, who obviously knows a thing or two about returning from a devastating loss as a massive favorite after Nate Diaz submitted him in the second-round of their main event at UFC 196.

Unlike Rousey, the Irish stalwart chose to immediately face his arch rival again, scoring a close majority decision win at August 20’s UFC 202 to gain his vengeance.

USATSI_9493988_168382968_lowres — Credit: Joshua Dahl for USA TODAY Sports

Rousey’s return will be bigger than huge, as she’s the only name in MMA who can stake a valid claim at McGregor’s spot as the biggest star in the fight game. It’s no small task, despite the fact UFC President Dana White believes Rousey is still a bigger draw than McGregor. If the returning judoka can get past Nunes in her comeback, a super fight with Cris “Cyborg” Justino potentially awaits, a fight that White believes would be the ‘biggest UFC pay-per-view of all time.’

But “Notorious” is predicting that result for his awaited lightweight title bout with Eddie Alvarez in the main event of November 12’s UFC 205 from Madison Square Garden in New York, a monumental fight he believes will secure in excess of two million buys.

Do you agree that Rousey still has the drawing power to topple McGregor? Will she silence her detractors as the Irish champion has urged?

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Conor McGregor: Aldo Retiring Because He Doesn’t Want This Again

Heading in to the monster UFC 205 pay-per-view in New York, there’s a ton of interesting questions regarding the main event. Eddie Alvarez will attempt his first title defense against a fellow champion, ‘The Notorious’ 145-pound boss Conor McGregor. After competing twice against Nate Diaz in the welterweight division, McGregor once again fights outside the

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Standing on the brink of becoming the first champion to hold belts in two weight classes at once, the Irish striker has also faced some adversity this past week. The Nevada Athletic Commission held another kangaroo court, this time handing down an outrageous $150K fine to McGregor. The NAC was looking to punish ‘The Notorious’ for the infamous UFC 202 bottle throwing incident. Responding to the commission yesterday, McGregor claimed he wouldn’t be paying them a dime.

Jose Aldo

Speaking during a Facebook Q & A with The Lad Bible, Conor McGregor addressed a number of current topics in the fight game. After Jose Aldo, the man McGregor KO’d in 13 seconds at UFC 194, announced he doesn’t want to fight for the UFC anymore, and the confirmation of his lightweight title fight, ‘The Notorious’ had a lot to say.

“I don’t think (Jose Aldo) wants the rematch. I think he’s happy with this feud, this get out clause. I knocked him out, then he came back and won the decision, has the interim belt. I think he wants to separate himself, to have this feud. He doesn’t want this again.”

Alvarez

Coming in to this huge champions main event at UFC 205, Conor McGregor says he’s been preparing against fighters with Eddie Alvarez’s style his entire career:

“I’ve been facing that style my whole life. It’s easy, it’s a lot better for me. You don’t have to source out these taller, bigger training partners. There’s a million training partners who replicate this opponent’s style. I’m very happy with it. We’ve continued on the cardio vascular, we’ve been monitoring that very closely. As I’m coming down to 155 I’m shredding up, I was stuffing my face to even make 168 before. My VO2 max has improved, I’m feeling good.”

“I don’t think (Alvarez) poses any threat. He’s a tough kid, he’s got some good fights and experience, but he’ll be out. It’s over, he knows it, his team knows it. My fist is bigger than this guy’s head. When it connects, he’ll be unconscious. It’ll be early, and it’ll be devastating.”

UFC 205 Fight Card

Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor (for Alvarez’s lightweight belt)
Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson (for Woodley’s welterweight belt)
Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (for Jedrzejczyk’s strawweight belt)
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Michael Johnson
Yoel Romero vs. Chris Weidman
Donald Cerrone vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Raquel Pennington vs. Miesha Tate
Frankie Edgar vs. Jeremy Stephens
Rashad Evans vs. Tim Kennedy
Tim Boetsch vs. Rafael Natal
Thiago Alves vs. Jim Miller
Lyman Good vs. Belal Muhammad
Liz Carmouche vs. Katlyn Chookagian

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Conor McGregor Issues Hilarious Challenge To NSAC Following Massive Fine

After the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) fined him a staggering $150,000 for his bottle-throwing incident at a UFC 202 pre-fight press conference in Las Vegas, Dana White recently revealed that featherweight champion Conor McGregor no longer wanted to fight in the State of Nevada again. Now, “The Notorious” is back to confirm the sentiment,

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Now, “The Notorious” is back to confirm the sentiment, declaring he’d now rather fight in New York City, where he’ll meet lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in the main event of November 12’s UFC 205, in an interview with Rolling Stone:

“I don’t see Nevada in my future, for the foreseeable future is how I see it,” McGregor says. “I’m free to do what I want. … I’m good. I’m good. New York, New York. That’s what I think.”

Taking an accepting attitude of his punishment, McGregor called into the NSAC hearing and was apologetic, believing the stance would aid his plight. But the NSAC, who have long been ‘notorious’ in their own right for handing out ridiculous suspensions and fines, had other ideas. His initial requested fine of $25,000 went up to five percent of his whopping $3 million purse for UFC 202.

The Irish star thought they would respect his agreement, but instead ‘fired the rounds off first’ in his opinion. That established, McGregor wished the NSAC good luck in obtaining the money from him:

“I thought they might respect [me calling in] a little bit more. I owned up. I manned up. I’m here. I apologized. I’m not trying to blame nobody, although they fired the rounds off first. I didn’t think they would even go that route because I didn’t think this was like a real thing. Are they going to come and arrest me or what the fuck is that? I wanted to give them the respect and I felt they would have respected that but they didn’t. So, whatever. It is what it is. Good luck trying to get it.”

Although he defeated Diaz by close majority decision at the record-breaking UFC 202, both men put on one of the best fights of the year and delivered the reported highest-grossing UFC pay-per-view (PPV) of all time in the process. They obviously made millions in the process, and McGregor doesn’t want Diaz’ money to go the commission just like he doesn’t want to give them his:

“I do not wish to see Nate get any more or any less than me,” McGregor said. “I don’t want to see either of us have something like this happen. But we’ll see. I don’t know. If they went that way on me I don’t know what way they’re going to go on him. He threw the bottle first, but I don’t wish he get more than me or anything like that. I just wish we’d get it sorted out and get on with it and carry on.”

‘Notorious’ offered his own specific view of the scene in closing, reaffirming his wishes at the NSAC actually getting the fine money:

“Respect to them. They wanted me to pay them and work for them at the same time. How can I not respect that? Good luck to them.”

So the gloves are off between Conor McGregor and the NSAC. Let’s just hope there aren’t any loose cans of Monster Energy Drink nearby.

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