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Quote: Conor McGregor Will Not Fight For The Belt

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The UFC lightweight division is in focus right now, as the New York debut for the promotion beckons. UFC 205 is set for Madison Square Gardens in NYC, and as usual pulling together the biggest stars for the November 12 pay-per-view has not been a simple process. Originally widely rumoured to feature Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor for the lightweight title, the story took a few twists and turns this week. First off UFC president Dana White and Khabib Nurmagomedov chimed in.

‘The Eagle’ claimed, with a confirmation from White Himself, that he was next in line for the title shot. Sharing via Twitter that he’d signed the bout agreement for UFC 205 against Alvarez, Nurmagomedov laid waste to weeks of rumours, or at least it appeared that way. Following this stream of head-spinning announcements came another curve ball. Apparently ‘The Notorious’ was still injured from his UFC 202 bout with Nate Diaz. Was the Irish star out of the running for UFC New York?

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Who’s It Gonna Be?

After the announcement of McGregor’s injury came reports to the contrary. The featherweight champion was fine and still gunning for a spot at UFC 205. All the while the UFC featherweight division was like the poor relative on the outskirts of town, waiting for an invitation to the big party. Dana White had previously stated McGregor would have to vacate the 145-pound title to fight at any other weight again. Clearly confirmation of anything in that regard is still wanting.

Now we await next Tuesday, where the official line-up of UFC 205 will be confirmed. In the meantime, Ariel Helwani confirmed that neither McGregor or Alvarez have officially been offered a fight against each other. Khabib Nurmagomedov on the other hand, he’s already signed two bout agreements, as per his recent Tweets:

August, September, October and November I was offered to fight, but he never signed agreement. #needtobestrippedof @danawhite

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 23, 2016

What About Conor?

That’s an interesting question, one that ‘The Eagle’ has his own opinion on. As per a report on FOX Sports, Nurmagomedov feels McGregor should fight his way from the bottom:

“I promise I become the lightweight champ, I promise all the lightweight fighters, Conor is not going to fight for the belt. He’s going to have to earn it. From the bottom up.”

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Khabib Calls Bullsh*t On Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez

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The scene surrounding UFC 205 has been bizarre to say the least. Fans were teased with rumours of a massive title fight between Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor, but that tale took a twist this week. After widespread reports that Alvazrez vs. McGregor was a done deal, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s name cropped up in the mix. According to UFC president Dana White and ‘The Eagle,’ they were simply waiting on Alvarez to sign the bout agreement. Following this apparent shuffle at UFC 205 came reports that McGregor was still rehabbing his foot injury from UFC 202.

Then we learned ‘The Notorious’ was fine, and still wanting to compete on the first New York card in MMA history. After so many conflicting stories and ‘leaked’ announcements, it’s fair to assume someone is leading a bit of a wild goose chase. In all seriousness though, the UFC 205 card is lacking in New York natives. Al Iaquinta removed himself from the card recently after being banned from earning bonuses for three fights. His controversial story links to reports that Chris Weidman is refusing to fight at MSG too. What about the big three at lightweight then?

Khabib Calls BS

As the UFC seems to be swinging between money fights and rankings, both Alvarez and McGregor seem set on the latter. Stuck in the middle is the number one ranked Khabib Nurmagomedov, who told ESPN via MMAFighting that he isn’t happy. According to the undefeated 155-pounder, handing ‘The Notorious’ a title shot at lightweight is ‘Number 1 bullshit.’

“Conor’s stuck two divisions, featherweight and lightweight. Now Conor makes the decisions…

“I want to fight at 205 in New York, maybe fight with Eddie Alvarez. I love this fight. I want to fight for the belt. All fans, coaches, fighters, analytics, everybody agrees and knows who deserves this title shot. I deserve it. I am No. 1 ranked. Why UFC put me on No. 1 ranking if they don’t want to give me title shot? Why do they make rankings?

“Conor McGregor fights in the UFC in a lighter division and the UFC wants to give him title shot? I think this is No. 1 bullshit. They cannot give him a title shot because he’s never fought with the top guys, like top five, top 10 in the lightweight division, and they want to give him title shot? “

‘Not High Level’

After a lengthy period of absence due to injury, ‘The Eagle’ returned to defeat Darrell Horcher by TKO. Although he was out for nearly two years to the day, Nurmagomedov managed to maintain his top ranked spot. In regards to Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, Khabib says neither are a high level fight for the top five in the lightweight rankings:

“I think at 170 pounds a lot of people can kill both [McGregor and Diaz]. This is my opinion. If we look at the lightweight division, I think a lot of guys can beat these guys. Edson Barboza, Tony Ferguson, Dos Anjos, Michael Johnson, a lot of guys can beat those guys. I think this is big money fight, and that’s it. I don’t think this it’s a high level fight.

“For me it’s very interesting, how will Conor look when he comes to lightweight division? For me, I think his weight is 155 , but if he wants to fight for the title he needs to take somebody like a top five fighter. If he beats him, he deserves title shot, I agree. But now if the UFC gives him a title shot, I don’t agree because I am the next in the line.”

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Sorry Conor, Alvarez vs. Nurmagomedov Targeted For UFC 205

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UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez has currently had just four fights since joining the promotion in September 2014. Crossing over from Bellator after lengthy contract negotiations, ‘The Silent Assassin’ actually lost his UFC debut. Facing Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 178, Alvarez was shut out on the judges scorecards. Leading to his eventual title tilt at UFC Fight Night 90, Alvarez would go on to defeat Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez in a duo of split decisions. Finally meeting Rafael dos Anjos on July 7, the 32-year old from Philadelphia looked like his old self again.

‘RDA’ had looked like an unstoppable force before meeting Alvarez in the UFC octagon. ‘The Silent Assassin’ proved to be too much for the Brazilian though, scoring a brutal first round stoppage by strikes. As Alvarez’s hand was raised and the title wrapped around his waist, another piece of a rapidly growing puzzle fell in to place. The former Bellator champ wanted money fights, following the trend that was growing among other UFC stars. Conor McGregor arguably brought ‘red panty night’ in to the limelight, and Alvarez was on board. Shortly after came the reports of a super fight between the lightweight and featherweight champions.

Alvarez vs. McGregor

Although nothing has been confirmed yet, the rumour mill would indicate UFC 205 as the venue for this clash. The 155-pound strap would be on the line at the promotion’s first event in New York, but questions remained about McGregor’s 145-pound belt. UFC president Dana White said ‘The Notorious’ would have to leave the featherweight championship if he wanted this fight.

Ahead of what would be a massively historic fight in many ways, the promotion has remained typically quiet. Alvarez took to Twitter last night to fire off a warning shot to McGregor, stating the Irishman’s future was not bright:

Let's do this @TheNotoriousMMA I'm ready !! Your futures not bright enjoy this one while it last . #ItsAllOver

— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) September 21, 2016

What if…

The ‘what if’ factor in this fight is absolutely huge. On the one hand the Irish star could drop his belt (potentially at this stage) and end up losing to Alvarez. With McGregor’s undying fame it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it remains a possible outcome. On the other hand, and probably much more influential, would be if ‘The Notorious’ beat ‘The Silent Assassin.’ The promotion would have their biggest draw ruling another division, leading to a plethora of possibilities in the aftermath.

Not So Fast

With all the talk of Alvarez vs. McGregor, people seem to have forgotten about longtime number one contender Khabib Nurmagomedov. As confirmed by a report on ESPN, and the following Tweet by Khabib himself, ‘The Eagle’ is in line for the UFC 205 main event, not Conor McGregor.

Me and Dana just waiting for Eddie to sign. I promise I will finish you fast and with no pain. https://t.co/4Zv9j8xejZ

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 21, 2016

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Dana White: Conor McGregor Competing At 170 Pounds Is Unfair

Since beating former longtime champion Jose Aldo in just 13-seconds at December 2015’s UFC 194, reigning champion Conor McGregor has yet to defend his title. Instead, he’s competed at welterweight twice in a bitter rivalry with Nate Diaz. Now, multiple rumors have surfaced indicating that McGregor could potentially headline November 12’s UFC 205 from New

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UFC President Dana White recently said that the “Notorious” one ‘could’ go to lightweight, but that once again going to welterweight would be ‘unfair’:

“At the end of the day, he’s a 145-pound fighter,” White said (via MMA Weekly). “He could go to (lightweight), but going back up to 170 makes absolutely no sense, and it clogs up the entire division, which isn’t fair to the rest of the crew.”

After McGregor scored a majority decision victory over Diaz in their rematch at August 20’s UFC 202, White said that he wouldn’t be making an immediate trilogy match, and that McGregor would have to move back down to 145 pounds to defend his strap. While the Irishman may not be defending his title right now, it looks as if White has stuck to his word regarding a third McGregor-Diaz bout:

“I made that fight twice. That’s it. It’s time to move on because (McGregor) has the 145-pound title.”

Who would you like to see McGregor take on next?

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Breaking: Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson Set For UFC 205

After knocking out Robbie Lawler at July 30’s UFC 201 to become the undisputed welterweight champion, Tyron Woodley seemed more interested in ‘money fights’ with Georges St. Pierre and Nick Diaz rather than a fight with the rightful No. 1-contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, who called out Woodley for a fight later this year in New

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Well, it appears as if one of these two men got their wish, and it wasn’t the champion.

FOX Sports’ Damon Martin reported earlier today (September 16, 2016) that Woodley vs. Thompson has been set for November 12’s UFC 205 from Madison Square Garden:

Tyron Woodley vs Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson set for UFC 205. That’s the 2nd title fight I was teasing a couple weeks back. #UFC205

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) September 16, 2016

Woodley also confirmed the news on the UFC Fight Night 94 weigh-ins show.

Prior to knocking out Lawler, Woodley had picked up back-to-back victories over Dong Hyun Kim and Kelvin Gastelum.

“Wonderboy”, on the other hand, has been on absolute tear as of late, winning seven straight bouts including four by way of finish. His most recent victories came in dominant fashion over former champion Johny Hendricks last February and longtime top contender Rory MacDonald this past June.

Woodley will be looking to make the first defense of his title in this bout, but the fight likely won’t be the only title fight on the card.

A lightweight title clash between reigning champion Eddie Alvarez and 145-pound king Conor McGregor has been rumored as a possible headliner, but the fight is currently not a done deal.

Stay tuned to LowKickMMA as more news regarding UFC 205 unfolds.

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Quote: Conor McGregor Will KO Eddie Alvarez In Two Rounds

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UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor got back on track at UFC 202. Following the first loss of his career in the UFC against Nate Diaz on March 5, the Irish star got revenge in the form of a majority decision win. Although not everyone agreed with the judges scorecards, the victory reopened many doors that had temporarily swung sh after UFC 196. Suddenly talks of title shots in different weight classes started over. All this time the 145-pound division has waited, albeit impatiently, for McGregor’s return.

Jose Aldo kept featherweight active by winning the interim title against Frankie Edgar at UFC 200. Sill the absence of McGregor was somewhat acceptable in anticipation of just one more fight with Diaz. After lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez called for the victor of UFC 202’s main event, the money fight was once again away from featherweight. Although it’s not official yet, UFC president Dana White revealed it was an option for ‘The Notorious.’

Moneyweight

The UFC’s newest weight category of moneyweight is officially here. For the top contenders or interim champs of each division, this is perhaps not great news. In terms of McGregor vs. Alvarez, it’s an awesome stylistic pairing, yet disappointing for the more purist fans of the ‘sport’ aspect in mixed martial arts. Speaking during his column for the42.ie, Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh says it’s not a fight they want because of trying to avoid 145:

“From a personal point of view, my own preference would be a lightweight title bout against reigning champion Eddie Alvarez next. Conor can make 145lbs to defend his featherweight belt, absolutely, but I just think 155lbs suits him best. Ultimately that’s Conor’s decision, not mine.”

Prediction

“That being said, I would see it as a much more straightforward challenge than Diaz. If you look at Alvarez’s fight against Anthony Pettis, which is a good reference point stylistically, he won by split decision but I think he was quite fortunate. Luck was definitely on his side.

Over the course of your career, some tight decisions will go for you, others will go against you, but generally they even themselves out. While Pettis has good kicks, he doesn’t have Conor’s hands. I’d expect Alvarez to run into those hands quite often in the first couple of rounds. If and when that fight is announced, I would be leaning towards a second-round knockout in Conor’s favour.”

It’s certainly a bold prediction by McGregor’s long-time coach. After his performance at UFC 202, do you think it’s one that could come true? Alvarez is definitely up for the fight, as is Dana White, and money talks to McGregor. Let’s wait and see how this whole thing plays out.

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