Tag: Eddie Alvarez

Report: UFC Upset With Conor McGregor’s ‘Attitude’ Heading Into UFC 229

The UFC isn’t happy with Conor McGregor’s attitude before UFC 229.

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The UFC is reportedly upset with Conor McGregor’s ‘attitude’ heading into his awaited return.

The superstar will face lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov at October 6’s UFC 229. The fight is McGregor’s first trip back to the cage since his TKO victory over Eddie Alvarez in November 2016. McGregor won the 155-pound title but was stripped due to inactivity.

‘The Eagle’ now holds the belt after defeating Al Iaquinta at April’s UFC 223. McGregor was arrested for his now-infamous bus attack at the Barlcays Center in Brooklyn. He reached a plea deal on assault charges last month. His massive return was announced before August 4’s UFC 227 from Los Angeles, California.

Lack Of Hype

The hype for what many are calling the biggest fight in UFC history hasn’t seemingly gone into overdrive just yet, however. McGregor has been largely unseen despite only the fact five weeks remain until the bout. Apparently, that’s causing discord with his employers. The UFC is frustrated with his attitude according to f4wonline.com (via MMA Mania):

“One of the reasons you haven’t seen much in the way of interviews and such is that McGregor has not agreed to do anything. There are no press conferences scheduled because McGregor at this point hasn’t agreed to them. There is a lot of frustration within the UFC about McGregor’s attitude, but in the end, he’s got the leverage and the ticket sales and secondary market results only give him more leverage.

The feeling is that this may be the biggest non-boxing PPV of all-time, and the only reason it wouldn’t be is that McGregor hasn’t been pushing it hard. McGregor was able to get a larger piece of the action for this fight than any of his UFC fights to date, so there is a direct correlation more than ever between his work in promoting the fight and his pocket book, but this may also show that he knows he’s in a real fight and doesn’t want to break training.”

McGregor may just be focused on training to beat the undefeated Nurmagomedov. He did the same thing prior to his UFC 202 rematch with Nate Diaz after losing their first fight. ‘The Eagle’ is being deemed McGregor’s toughest challenge in the octagon. The likewise could be said for the champion because of McGregor’s otherworldly striking accuracy and power.

Record-Setting Potential

The megafight is being discussed as the first UFC fight to earn 2 million buys on pay-per-view. That would be a record by a large margin. If the fight fails to reach its record-setting potential, many will point to the lack of promotion as the reason.

McGregor’s rematch with Diaz at UFC 202 in 2016 drew a reported 1.6 million buys to stand as the current record-holder. It would seem Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor would break that rather easily based on the situation. Were the fight not to reach 2 million buys, at least some disappointment would foster for the UFC. The promotion needs a massive pay-per-view more than ever during a year of struggling PPV sales and television ratings.

That’s why they need McGregor promoting the fight. He simply may not be willing to at this point.

Does the UFC have a right to be upset with Conor McGregor’s attitude heading into UFC 229?

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Conor McGregor Responds To Floyd Mayweather’s Interesting Offer

Conor McGregor fired back at Floyd Mayweather’s offer.

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It’s high time Conor McGregor responds to Floyd Mayweather’s recent offer.

Earlier today, it appeared Mayweather had made some sort of peace with previous opponent McGregor. “Money” offered an opportunity for McGregor to train at his gym for his upcoming UFC 229 main event against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Mayweather even sent a message to ‘The Eagle’ in the process:

“Conor’s not gonna back down and he’s not a scared fighter at all, win, lose or draw. Conor gonna come to fight. I know that UFC got a training facility but we’d like for him to work out at the Mayweather Boxing Club.”

However, McGregor just made it clear that he and Mayweather aren’t on good terms. “The Notorious” posted a classic McGregor-style message on Facebook just moments ago:

McGregor apparently isn’t having any of Mayweather’s so-called hospitality heading into his UFC return.

Perhaps he shouldn’t. A potential rematch with “Money” could always be lurking around the corner if UFC 229 doesn’t pan out.

And that’s always a good time to break out “F*** the Mayweathers.”

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Khabib’s Coach Admits ‘There’s No Way’ To Prepare For Conor McGregor’s Striking

Will Khabib be able to hang with Conor McGregor on the feet?

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Khabib’s Nurmagomedov’s coach believes there’s just no way he can prepare for Conor McGregor’s striking.

Javier Mendez dove into detail on the subject during the recent episode of the Eurobash podcast (via MMA Fighting).

He believes McGregor is in a class of his own in terms of striking. The popular Irishman is so good, he’s the best in the UFC in that area in his eyes:

“To me [Conor McGregor] is the best standup guy in the whole UFC, in my opinion.

“He’s got incredible relaxation, he approaches it like a scientist, he knows how to read you, he knows how to bait you…he knows how to put you right into that trap and before you know it you’re caught sleeping.

“He’s a master, in my opinion, on the fighting arts and he’s also got a ground game — he’s good everywhere. I’m not sleeping on how great he is. I’m prepared for everything but he is a great fighter.”

Striker vs. Grappler Match

Mendez believes that his star pupil Nurmagomedov just won’t have enough time to bridge that gap before their awaited showdown at October 6’s UFC 229.

The longtime American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) front man said ‘The Eagle’ will have to take advantage of his position as the much better grappler due to McGregor’s striking skill:

“There’s no amount of time that we have that’s going to help us to try and get him to stand up, there’s no way possible. So, I’m not gonna say, ‘Oh yeah, we’re gonna get him ready’… come on…wake up…it ain’t gonna work,” he said.

“We have to fight our strengths, we have to find ways of opening the doors to where his weaknesses are and likewise. This is basically the classic grappler versus striker fight. Keep in mind that they can both grapple and they can both strike, it’s just one is better than the other at (each discipline).

“We’re the better grappler, he’s the better striker, but that doesn’t mean we won’t strike, it just means he’s better. It’s about who plays whose game.”

Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor is being billed as the classic ‘striker vs. grappler’ match-up. The fight is also being touted as potentially the biggest spectacle in UFC history.

High stakes are on the line for both men, and the result will most likely come down to the fighter who can implement their will best.

Will that be ‘The Notorious’ or ‘The Eagle?’

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Bruce Buffer Responds To Nate Diaz’ Recent Callout

Bruce Buffer fired back at Nate Diaz.

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It’s high time Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer responds to Nate Diaz’ recent harsh words.

Buffer made headlines over the weekend by suggesting Diaz should “bow down to UFC President Dana White” for the money he’s been paid. Diaz expectedly fired back that he ‘bows to no man’ for no amount of cash. Diaz suggested that Buffer should “get off the UFC’s nuts” due to his claims.

The announcer apparently didn’t like how his words came off as a result. Buffer tweeted a sort of apology to Diaz. He insisted that Diaz had gotten his use of the term ‘bow’ out of sort:

Buffer has changed his tune. But that story may or may not come off as credible due to how he first detailed it. Diaz was none too pleased with the announcer’s assumption he should bow down to Dana White.

But the in-cage personality claims he maybe meant something else with his suggestion.

Diaz is rarely one to agree with Dana White, let alone bow, due to their storied history. This story may not be over because of that.

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Nate Diaz Claps Back At Bruce Buffer After ‘Bow Down’ Diss

Nate Diaz isn’t having Bruce Buffer’s trash talk.

The post Nate Diaz Claps Back At Bruce Buffer After ‘Bow Down’ Diss appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

It hardly a surprise that Nate Diaz claps back at Bruce Buffer.

The longtime UFC announcer recently dissed the polarizing MMA star by claiming he should be ‘bowing down’ to UFC president Dana White.

Buffer’s words don’t sit well with Diaz. He hopped on social media to blast back at the voice of the octagon tonight:

It’s the usual hard-line stance from Diaz. He affirmed he takes directions from no man. It’s a strategy that has gained him many a fan due to his outspoken personality. He’s now set to return against Dustin Poirier at November’s UFC 230. The pay-per-view event should be huge because of his presence.

However, Diaz has also begun to draw some criticism in the fight game. He is set to return, but likewise, it’s far from set in stone.

The Stockton slugger was expected to only return for his long-rumored trilogy with Conor McGregor. The press conference where McGregor’s return was also announced was a source of discord for Diaz. He walked out of it and tweeted he was no longer fighting. Maybe he wants to fight the best at lightweight, maybe it’s in order to set up the McGregor rubber match.

It seems like one thing is for certain. Diaz wants to be back in the limelight. If he’s making the kind of money Buffer claims, he has several million reasons to. MMA’s most infamous bad boy is back, so fans can only hope he actually fights.

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Nate Diaz Avoids Arrest For Alleged Clay Guida Brawl

Nate Diaz is off the hook for an alleged brawl earlier this year.

The post Nate Diaz Avoids Arrest For Alleged Clay Guida Brawl appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Nate Diaz avoided arrest in his alleged brawl with UFC veteran Clay Guida.

A report surfaced from MMAjunkie clarifying that police revealed Guida had declined to press charges. Guida and Diaz allegedly brawled at May’s Combate Americas 20 event from Sacramento, California. A police investigation soon followed.

Guida had filed an incident report with officers. ‘The Carpenter’s’  attorney John Fosco alleged Diaz had pushed him in the back and  bloodied his lip. Guida’s teammate Tyler Diamond claimed Diaz had slapped him because he tried to intervene. Detectives interviewed supposed witnesses in an attempt to procure the necessary arrest warrant. Guida declined to press charges, however, and the case is now closed due to his decision.

Diaz has been in the news lately a much bigger reason. He will finally return to the octagon against top-ranked competitor Dustin Poirier at November’s UFC 230. Diaz made a scene by storming out of the UFC 25th Anniversary Press Conference when Conor McGregor’s promo began playing.

Diaz then alleged that UFC president Dana White had been untruthful about why he had been out of action for two years. The fan-favorite claimed a lawsuit prevented him from fighting. He did not, meanwhile, turn down multiple fights as White insisted.

For the time being, Diaz’ legal slate is clear and his return appears imminent.

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