“It’s always darkest before it’s totally black.”-Mao Zedong (supposedly).
This quote aptly described MMA’s immediate future, or at least it seemed to until very recently. Card quality, fan interest, and–most importantly–numbers were all declining; 2014’s PPV buy ceiling of 350,000 was 2009’s floor. MMA was headed for a perplexing time when it was simultaneously bigger than ever but smaller than ever, when the fighters were more talented than ever but less popular than ever.
A series of fortunate events and new found circumstances can change all that. To make a Back to the Future reference, the horrific, Biff Tannen-owned Hill Valley that represented MMA’s future may well become the nice, stable Hill Valley in which George McFly is a successful fiction author and Marty McFly bangs his girlfriend in the back of a pickup truck. That is to say, MMA might be approaching a level of popularity, constancy and quality that many (including myself) didn’t think it was capable of reaching in the current climate.
“It’s always darkest before it’s totally black.”-Mao Zedong (supposedly).
This quote aptly described MMA’s immediate future, or at least it seemed to until very recently. Card quality, fan interest, and–most importantly–numbers were all declining; 2014′s PPV buy ceiling of 350,000 was 2009′s floor. MMA was headed for a perplexing time when it was simultaneously bigger than ever but smaller than ever, when the fighters were more talented than ever but less popular than ever.
A series of fortunate events and new found circumstances can change all that. To make a Back to the Future reference, the horrific, Biff Tannen-owned Hill Valley that represented MMA’s future may well become the nice, stable Hill Valley in which George McFly is a successful fiction author and Marty McFly bangs his girlfriend in the back of a pickup truck. That is to say, MMA might be approaching a level of popularity, constancy and quality that many (including myself) didn’t think it was capable of reaching in the current climate.
What’s the reason for this cautious optimism?
The initial catalyst, for me at least, is MMA’s reaction to Conor McGregor. Interest for UFC Fight Night 46 was so high you’d have thought it was headlined by Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson II rather than Conor McGregor vs. Diego Brandao. And this was on a Fight Pass card, mind you. That level of excitement for a Fight Pass card is extremely rare–as was the web traffic he brought in for a Fight Pass card. Fight Pass cards are so lackluster we refused to cover one. UFC Fight Night 46, however, garnered more traffic than even some Fox Sports 1 cards.
Conor McGregor stepping into the Octagon is an event. People need to see it. It’s no wonder then UFC Fight Night 46 was reportedly the most-watched Fight Pass event of all time. Conor McGregor has the makings of a superstar. He’s charismatic, a magnet for attention, he’s talented, and has a fan-friendly fighting style. Though McGregor is further proof stars have to be found and built up rather than manufactured by stamping “UFC” on them, McGregor is a light in the dark.
Rousey, too, is another reason the future seems bright. As I’ve noted in the past, the UFC women’s bantamweight division is little more than a promotional vehicle for Ronda Rousey. If you doubt this, look at Ronda Rousey’s fights in the UFC. Was the UFC sponsoring her or her opponent? The UFC does not dissemble its abject love of Rousey; Dana White admitted Rousey is the only reason the division exists.
As inflammatory and ridiculous as it sounded when White said it, Rousey might actually be the UFC’s biggest star. This (somewhat) justifies the UFC’s treatment of her. But watching even the greatest of fighters crush glorified jobbers in under a minute can get boring–boring enough that people won’t pay $60 to see it. Currently, the UFC women’s bantamweight division is such that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the only person getting as much attention as Rousey. That’s changing now.
Rousey-Holm, Rousey-Carano, and Rousey-Justino are far more sell-able and will garner more interest than Rousey vs. any of the other overmatched contenders in the division.
The women’s MMA landscape as a whole is changing thanks to the UFC’s inclusion of the strawweight division via TUF 20. The UFC’s current strawweight roster possesses enough personalities (Rose Namajunas, Felice Herrig, etc.) to make the weight class interesting.
Then we come to UFC Fight Pass. We’ve panned the network on CagePotato multiple times, but Zuffa is finally starting to listen to our suggestions. To that end, they will now start showing Invicta fight cards. Deals with other MMA promotions might also be in the works. They also plan to to air events in judo, wrestling, and other martial arts. Fight Pass is changing for the better. What was once a cheap cash-grab is turning into a legitimate window into the mixed martial arts ecosystem.
And finally, Bellator. Bjorn Rebney is out. Scott Coker, a man with the proven capability to put on cards fans care about (and who’s not scummy and horrible), is in. With Scott Coker’s vision and Viacom’s financial backing, Bellator 2.0 (or Spikeforce, as we like to call it) can become serious competition to the UFC, which’ll force the UFC to step up its game and offer a better product. Look at UFC Fight Night 50. Is it a coincidence that it’s one of the more loaded Fight Night cards in recent memory? Did Zuffa just feel like throwing us a bone? Of course not. UFC Fight Night 50 is going head to head with Bellator 123 that night.
There are reasons for MMA fans to be hopeful. There is an emerging star on the horizon, the UFC’s biggest existing star has more credible, higher profile foes to dispatch, a new crop of feisty and fearsome women are entering the fold, Fight Pass is becoming something you wouldn’t be ashamed of subscribing to, and we’re fast approaching the spiritual resurrection of Strikeforce and the competitive nature in MMA it entails.
Are we approaching a Golden Age? Maybe not because the sport still has a few unsolved problems. But we’re certainly approaching an age in which things get better before they get worse. Be cautiously optimistic, MMA fans.
(Conor McGregor in a state of cat-like readiness. / Photo via Getty)
Conor McGregor wowed Irish audiences with his destruction of Diego Brandao at UFC Fight Night 46. The Irish crowd was in love not only with McGregor, but with the sport itself. Their enthusiasm was infectious, bringing the festivities up from an 8/10 to a 10/10.
The action started off with a bang–especially on the prelims which saw four out of fix fights finished in dramatic fashion. Of note, The Wiki-less legend Ilir Latifi brutalized Chris Dempsey via TKO in the first round. He blasted Dempsey’s leg with kicks, and then just bum rushed him with punches. We’d describe it in more technical terms but that’s pretty much exactly how the fight looked.
The main card started off just as strong as the prelims. Norman Parke steamrolled through Naoyuki Kotani. Parke used him as a punching bag throughout the entire first round, landing punches, kicks, knees, and elbows and nearly finishing him as well. In the second, Parke picked up where he left off and finished Kotani with a barrage of elbows.
Brad Pickett and Ian McCall met next. McCall was too quick for Pickett, who planted his feet and endlessly missed right hands. McCall’s footwork was too fluid, his rhythm was too atypical, his pace was too fast and his striking was too fast and precise for Pickett to mount any meaningful offense. McCall pulled away with this one easily, winning a unanimous decision.
(Conor McGregor in a state of cat-like readiness. / Photo via Getty)
Conor McGregor wowed Irish audiences with his destruction of Diego Brandao at UFC Fight Night 46. The Irish crowd was in love not only with McGregor, but with the sport itself. Their enthusiasm was infectious, bringing the festivities up from an 8/10 to a 10/10.
The action started off with a bang–especially on the prelims which saw four out of six fights finished in dramatic fashion. Of note, The Wiki-less legend Ilir Latifi brutalized Chris Dempsey via TKO in the first round. He blasted Dempsey’s leg with kicks, and then just bum rushed him with punches. We’d describe it in more technical terms but that’s pretty much exactly how the fight looked.
The main card started off just as strong as the prelims. Norman Parke steamrolled through Naoyuki Kotani. Parke used him as a punching bag throughout the entire first round, landing punches, kicks, knees, and elbows and nearly finishing him as well. In the second, Parke picked up where he left off and finished Kotani with a barrage of elbows.
Brad Pickett and Ian McCall met next. McCall was too quick for Pickett, who planted his feet and endlessly missed right hands. McCall’s footwork was too fluid, his rhythm was too atypical, his pace was too fast and his striking was too fast and precise for Pickett to mount any meaningful offense. McCall pulled away with this one easily, winning a unanimous decision.
After the fight, McCall called out Demetrious Johnson with a speech so creepy it hearkened back to Tank Abbott’s promo where he said looking at Paul Varelans getting beat up made him sexually aroused. But what else would you expect from a fighter nicknamed “Uncle Creepy?”
The co-main event of the night featured Gunnar Nelson vs. Zak Cummings. This fight was another in a long line of great, entertaining fights this card. The first round was evenly contested. Nelson landed the better strikes in the first half, but Cummings scored with pressure in the clinch and some dirty boxing in the latter half. In the second, Nelson ultimately took charge. He dragged Cummings to the mat and sunk in a rear naked choke, tapping out the exhausted Cummings right as the round was about to end.
The crowd was MENTAL for the night’s main event: Conor McGregor vs. Diego Brandao. McGregor made short work of his Brazilian foe in what was a pretty short bout. Brandao managed to land a head kick early on, but McGregor was unfazed. McGregor even managed to beat Brandao in the grappling too, reversing a takedown and landing on top. Once on top, McGregor warded off Brandao’s submission attempts with relative ease. Eventually, the fight returned to the feet. McGregor landed a body shot that took the life out of Brandao. As Brandao hobbled away, McGregor landed a brutal straight left that collapsed Brandao to the mat. The referee stopped the fight after a few follow-up punches.
McGregor riled up the crowd with his post-fight speech, proving that he has charisma enough to be a star.
Who’s next for him? Tough to tell. If the UFC is smart, they’ll book him against Cole Miller, who he was supposed to fight tonight anyway. Some people on Twitter speculated that Frankie Edgar would face McGregor next, but that could be disastrous. The UFC can afford to take their time with McGregor due to his age (26). Throwing him into the lion’s den this early could have dire consequences.
Here are the card’s complete results:
Main Card
Conor McGregor def. Diego Brandao via TKO (punches), round 1, 4:05
Gunnar Nelson def. Zak Cummings via submission (rear naked choke), round 2, 4:48
Ian McCall def. Brad Pickett via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Norman Parke def. Naoyuki Kotani via TKO (punches and elbows), round 2, 3:41
Preliminary Card
Ilir Latifi def. Chris Dempsey via TKO (punches), round 1, 2:07
Neil Seery def. Phil Harris decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cathal Pendred def. Mike King technical via Submission (rear-naked choke), round 2, 3:33
Trevor Smith def. Tor Troeng via decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nikita Krylov def. Cody Donovan via TKO (punches) round 1, 4:57
Patrick Holohan def. Josh Sampo vis submission (rear-naked choke), round 1, 3:06.
The event isn’t airing on TV out here in North America, but CagePotato Fight Pass Correspondent Barry “Bear” Siragusa will keep you updated with live round-by-round results from the main card, which will be available after the jump beginning at 3 p.m. ET / noon PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest and let us know your thoughts in the comments section or on twitter @cagepotatomma.
(“D’ya loik me man-pannies? Tree peepul DOYD makin’ deese noat-hoaggers.” / Photo byEsther Lin for MMAFighting)
The event isn’t airing on TV out here in North America, but CagePotato Fight Pass Correspondent Barry “Bear” Siragusa will keep you updated with live round-by-round results from the main card, which will be available after the jump beginning at 3 p.m. ET / noon PT. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest and let us know your thoughts in the comments section or on twitter @cagepotatomma.
Preliminary Card Results
– Ilir Latifi def. Chris Dempsey via KO (punch) at 2:07 of round 1
– Neil Seery def. Phil Harris via Unanimous Decision (30-27 X3)
– Cathal Pendred def. Mike King via Submission (RNC) at 3:33 of round 2
– Trevor Smith def. Tor Troeng via Unanimous decision (29-28 X3)
– Nikita Krylov def. Cody Donovan via KO (punches) at 4:57 of round 1
– Patrick Holohan def. Josh Sampo via Submission (RNC) at 3:06 of round 1
Please stand by…
The crowd is crazy! It was deafening during the first Prelim. Will the Irish Con-man live up to the hype? Will Brad Pickett mess up Ian McCall’s hair? Will McCall celebrate by saying “Bully!” should he win? Will Brandao win and become the first(?) UFC fighter to be dragged out of the octagon by an angry mob? Plenty of questions to be answered in the next few hours. I’ll resist the urge to start us off with “top of the evening” and just go with- Right ya miserable buggers, let’s do this.
First up:
Norman Parke vs. Naoyuki Kotani
Norman Parke (19-2 MMA)
Born in Northern Ireland, Parke competed in TUF: The Smashes, where he won the lightweight tournament. He had a nine fight win streak, followed by a single draw against Leonard Santos where Parke was deducted a point for grabbing Santos’s shorts.
Naoyuki Kotani (33-10-7)
Seven draws? This is Kotani’s return to the UFC after a rough start and eventual release from the promotion in 2007. He is a veteran of Pride, Rings, and Pancrase. Despite being only 32 years old, he has been fighting for nearly 15 years.
Round 1:
The crowd is mental. A quick leg kick from Parke. Kotani is waiting for Parke to make the first move. Kotani flurries and changes levels. Parke stuffs the attempt and the briefly end up against the fence before breaking and moving to the center. Some jabs, both men trying to find their range. Lots of foot movement. Another flurry and level change from Kotani. Parke reverses against the fence and pins Kotani there. Nasty elbow inside from Parke. Kotani misses with a leg kick.connects with a left jab. They clicnh and break quickly. A flying knee from Parke that just misses. A head kick from Parke that misses by a hair. Parke has Kotani backing up, but Kotani catches a kick and goes for the takedown. Parke defends and clinches, starts punishing Kotani with knees. Kotani distances himself and backpeddles again. Parke is throwing a lot of body and head kicks. Parke clinches and pushes him against the fence. Parke breaks away and connects with some elbows. Kotani goes for the double leg but Parke sprawls and gets Kotani’sback up against the fence o the ground. Prake dropping Some BOMBS at the ten second mark. Some HUGE ELBOWS to end the round. Wow.
Round 2:
Parke immediately goes on the attack with some leg kicks. A maybe low blow. Parke throws a looping left and kotani ducks under and goes for the single. Misses and Parke lets him up. They clinch and Parke slams Kotani down to the canvas. Parke starts with the ground and pound. Some nasty elbows from the top. Kotani is struggling to find an answer to Parke. Parke with some brutal elbows. Kotani can’t take much more of those. Looked like Kotani was out cold for for a second there. Kotani recovers and attempts a knee bar and Parke jumps up and gets away. They clinch immediately on their feet and Parke pushes Kotani against the fence. Parke drags Kotani to the ground and starts dropping some huge elbows Kotai is just turtled up and it’s over. Some big punches to end that one.
Norman Parke def. Naoyuki Kotani via TKO (punches and elbows) at 3:41 of the second round.
Next up.
Brad Pickett vs. Ian McCall
Brad Pickett (24-8 MMA)
Currently the #6 ranked bantamweight in the UFC but making a run at flyweight where he is ranked #11. Pickett is a four time recipient of Fight of the Night.
Ian McCall (12-4-1 MMA)
Fought Demetrius Johnson to a draw in the first Flyweight fight in UFC history. He later lost the rematch. He had a two fight loosing streak after his draw with Johnson, but rebounded in his last fight with a win over Iliarde Santos. He is currently ranked #3 in UFC flyweight rankings.
Round 1:
Uncle Creepy rocking the Topknot. They touch gloves. McCall misses a leg kick to start things off. Pickett connects with a left hook. McCall connects with some solid leg kicks. A huge amount of movement from McCall. Pickett goes for the double legs. McCall defends and connects with some knees. Pickett manages to knee McCall solid in the nuts. McCall recovers. Huge leg kicks from McCall. They clinch and McCall ends up against the fence. He defends well and connects with some solid legs kicks. McCall tries to control Picketts head, but Pickett just tosses him out of the way. McCall with some solid combos. Pickett firing off some huge shots but McCall is just so fast. McCall has found his range and is connecting solidly with his left jab. Pickett goes for the double leg, pushes McCall against the fence. McCall reverses and gets away from Pickett. Connects wth some big shots. Pickett is moving forward but it seems he is following McCall more than dictating the pace. McCall and Pickett exchange some nasty shots. Pickett rushes McCall and McCall slips but is saved by the bell.
Round 2:
Pickett opens with a few big punches that McCall ducks under. They clinch and McCall takes Pickett down. Pickett gets up quickly and they trade shots. McCall gets double underhooks and trips Picket. McCall gets full mount. Pickett tries to buck him off without success. Pickett is starting to look tired. McCall tries to free up his leg and Pickett uses the opportunity to get to his feet. They face off in the center of the octagon. A straight left jab from McCall. Pickett is throwing some bombs, but McCall sees them coming. McCall attempts a takedown. Picket goes low and eats a knee and a body kick. Pickett pushes McCall against the fence. McCall hits Pickett in the groin with an inside low kick. Pickett is looking green. Ouch… They are back and Pickett connects with a looping right. They clinch and Pickett connects with a left hook on the way out. McCall answers with a jab. They both are winging some huge overhands and missing. McCall connects with a body punch. McCall defends a single leg takedown attempt and connects with a spinning backfist. He breaks away and back-peddles while Pickett hunts him down.
Round 3:
They both go low and miss with overhand rights. McCall connects with a kick to Picketts armpit. McCall throwing a lot more kicks early in the third. Those are starting to sting. Pickett is moving forward and going for the finishing shots. McCall is doing a good job avoiding the hard shots. McCall is shooting some major kicks. McCall connects with a outside leg. Pickett rushes in for the clinch. Some nasty knee’s from the clinch from both fighters. A big right hand from McCall, Pickett attempts a takedown and gets it for a second. McCall is up again and connects with a nasty body kick. McCall gets the takedown. Pickett is attempting a kimura, McCall is still on top and defending well. Now McCall is dropping some elbows and hammerfists to Picketts head. McCall gets full mount for a moment but Pickett defends back to half guard.. McCall is on top but Pickett is attacking McCalls body with some big shots. McCall is really pouring on shots to the head of Pickett. Pickett regains his feet at the last second. McCall connects with an uppercut and looping right at the buzzer.
Ian McCall def. Brad Pickett via Unanimous decision. (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Next up:
Gunnar Nelson vs. Zak Cummings
Gunnar Nelson (13-0-1 MMA)
This will be the Icelandic fighters fourth fight inside the octagon. His first professional fight was a draw, he has been undefeated since. In his last outing he won Performance of the Night. He is known for showing no emotion… He’s the Icelandic Fedor…
Zak Cummings (17-3 MMA)
Cummings was a contestant on TUF Jones vs. Sonnen where he was eliminated in the elimination rounds. In his two UFC appearances he has gone 2-0.
This is the co-main event.
Round 1:
Starts of Cuminsg starts off with an outside leg kick. Nelson connects with a weak overhand left and they clinch. Cummings gets the advantage and connects with some solid knees. Nelson connects with a nasty right hook. Cummings eats it and keeps coming. Cummings is keeping his hands down after throwing combos. Nelson is hanging back and watching. Cummings needs to get his hand back up. A nice body knee from Nelson. Another nasty jab from Nelson that nails Cummings. They clinch and Cummings gains Nelsons back while they stand. Nelson reverses and they break. Cummings connects with a body shot. Nelson misses a head kick. Cummings fakes a superman punch. Cummings is trying to find his range. Cummings with the flying knee attempt. Cummings is throwing a lot while Nelson is just keeping his distance. They clinch and Cummings pushes Nelson against the fence. Cummings connects with some punches while Nelson spins away. There is the buzzer.
Round 2:
Cummings corner was asking for more volume. That’s a bad call.
They feel each other out. Cummings connects with a few punches but nothing hurts Nelson. Cummings attacks Nelsons legs against the fence with some knees. Cummings and Nelson are still clinched but wheeling around the octagon. They break. Cummings with the feints. A quick inside leg from Cummings. Nelson connects with a stinging straight right. Nelson hold his head really far back so his opponents don’t realize how close he is. Nelson connects with a straight right. Cummings with a flurry and an inside leg kick. Nelson with the straight right. Nelson with a great body kick, but Cummings holds on to it and goes for the takedown, Nelson attempts a guillotine Cummings defends but Nelson gets his back and starts working to sink in the RNC. It’s over! Nelson gets the win via RNC.
Gunnar Nelson def. Zak Cummings via Submission (RNC) at 4:48 of Round 2
Next up: Our Main Event.
Conor McGregor vs. Diego Brandao
Conor McGregor (14-2 MMA)
Is currently on a 10 fight win streak. Mcgegor is undefeated in the UFC, but has only fought in the UFC twice. He did however earn the KO of the night in his first appearence in the octagon against Marcus Brimage. McGregor is the former Cage Warriors lightweight champ.
Diego Brandao (18-9 MMA)
Winner of TUF Bisping vs. Miller. Currently ranked #15 in UFC featherweight rankings.
He is coming off of a loss to Dustin Poirier. He fights out of New Mexico and Jackson’s MMA.
Get ready for things to get nutty.
I have not ever heard a crowd like this.
Round 1:
Conor starts with a spinning back kick to the body of Brandao. Damn you could hear that one. Brandao with some nasty punches but nothing connects. Brandao goes for te takedown. Conor defends and abuses Brandaos head with punches from the clinch. McGregor reverses the clinch against the fence. Brandao hits Mcgregor with a nasty knee to the body. Brandao reverse and McGregor ends up in Brandaos guard, Brandao kicks him off and they end up on the ground. Brandao goes for a leg lock but McGregor spins away. Brandao stays down while McGregor stand and tries to land some bombs. McGregor gains the top, but Brandao looks calm. McGregor is landing some shots but nothing hard. Brandao gets his feet and McGregor starts peppering him with some hard shots. Bradnao is starting to throw down, McGregor is staying just out of reeach and connecting with jabs. McGregor connects with a HUGE straight left hand and Brandao goes down! McGRegor is on top and starts absolutely POUNDING Brandao. What is the ref waiting for! There it is. It’s all over. Conor McGregor defeats Diego Brandao via TKO.
Conor McGregor def. Diego Brandao via TKO (Punches) at 4:05 of round one.
Post fight interview:
McGregor: “Not a man alive that could come on this soil (Ireland) and beat me. I’m going back stage with Lorenzo and some “foin” ass whiskey and talk football stadiums and world titles!”
What a main event. The Hype is for real, Conor McGregor as hard as a coffin nail.
There is nothing more to say except.
“May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand”
(It’s Ireland. You gotta have at least one pikey-fight. Screen-cap via MMAMania; be sure to come back to CagePotato tomorrow 3 p.m. ET/noon PT for our liveblog of UFC Fight Night Dublin: McGregor vs. Brandao.)
Some must-see highlights from our friends around the Internet…
(It’s Ireland. You gotta have at least one pikey-fight. Screen-cap via MMAMania; be sure to come back to CagePotato tomorrow 3 p.m. ET/noon PT for our liveblog of UFC Fight Night Dublin: McGregor vs. Brandao.)
Some must-see highlights from our friends around the Internet…
With some of the promotion’s most crowd-pleasing stars returning to action in the near future, the UFC has released a bunch of classic fights to hype up their appearances.
First up: Donald Cerrone‘s comeback knockout of Melvin Guillard at UFC 150 in August 2012, in which Cowboy gets battered around the cage for a minute before stunning Guillard with a head-kick and finishing the job with a right cross. The 76-second performance earned Cerrone an extra $120,000 in Fight of the Night/Knockout of the Night bonuses. He returns to the cage this Wednesday against Jim Miller at UFC Fight Night 45 in Atlantic City. Set your DVRs, folks.
With some of the promotion’s most crowd-pleasing stars returning to action in the near future, the UFC has released a bunch of classic fights to hype up their appearances.
First up: Donald Cerrone‘s comeback knockout of Melvin Guillard at UFC 150 in August 2012, in which Cowboy gets battered around the cage for a minute before stunning Guillard with a head-kick and finishing the job with a right cross. The 76-second performance earned Cerrone an extra $120,000 in Fight of the Night/Knockout of the Night bonuses. He returns to the cage this Wednesday against Jim Miller at UFC Fight Night 45 in Atlantic City. Set your DVRs, folks.
In honor of Conor McGregor‘s long-awaited return to the Octagon this Saturday in Dublin against Diego Brandao, here’s his UFC debut last April, in which he smoked Marcus Brimage in just over a minute.
Now, Brandao is in a main event against The King of Dublin — which kind of seems undeserved, but considering that McGregor and Brandao have had their eyes on each other since last year, it could still be an entertaining scrap. The current fight-lineup for UFC Fight Night 46: McGregor vs. Brandao is…
(No, Conor. It was certainly *not* as good for us as it was for you. / Photo via @TheNotoriousMMA)
Now, Brandao is in a main event against The King of Dublin — which kind of seems undeserved, but considering that McGregor and Brandao have had their eyes on each other since last year, it could still be an entertaining scrap. The current fight-lineup for UFC Fight Night 46: McGregor vs. Brandao is…
Conor McGregor vs. Diego Brandao
Gunnar Nelson vs. Zak Cummings
Ian McCall vs. Brad Pickett
Ilir Latifi vs. Tom Lawlor
Cody Donovan vs. Nikita Krylov
Phil Harris vs. Neil Seery
Trevor Smith vs. Tor Troeng
Naoyuki Kotani vs. Norman Parke
