The UFC revealed some big news late last night when word came that Conor McGregor would meet lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in the main event of November’s massive UFC 205, the first major UFC pay-per-view from New York’s Madison Square Garden. Following a week of misdirection and speculation featuring headlines detailing how McGregor would not fight
The UFC revealed some big news late last night when word came that Conor McGregor would meet lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in the main event of November’s massive UFC 205, the first major UFC pay-per-view from New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Following a week of misdirection and speculation featuring headlines detailing how McGregor would not fight at UFC 205, that Dana White wanted him to fight Jose Aldo, and how Alvarez would be fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov rather than ‘The Notorious,’ it’s clear it was all a ruse to hide their true intentions of booking the biggest fight possible for perhaps the biggest-ever card, one where McGregor attempts to become the first simultaneous two-weight class champion in UFC history.
Since the announcement, the discussion has raged on that McGregor should have been made to vacate his featherweight championship, which he’s never defended since winning the belt from Aldo at December 2015’s UFC 194, and there’s also talk that the UFC played Nurmagomedov by offering bout agreements – which he reportedly signed – to face Alvarez at both UFC 205 and UFC 206.
Regardless, it’s clear the UFC is about making the biggest splash for their long-awaited NYC debut, and from a numbers standpoint, it’s hard to argue with the booking regardless of your opinion of if it’s fair or not. McGregor can also have the fallback title and the rematch with Aldo in his back pocket should he lose to Alvarez, so the UFC would get two huge McGregor title bout-headlined cards instead of one with this decision.
What do you think? Was McGregor vs. Alvarez the fight to make, or should they have chose another option?
When news broke last night about UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor going after the 155-pound title in the main event of UFC 205 against Eddie Alvarez, many of you may have been wondering what this means for No. 1-ranked Khabib Nurmagomedov. Well according to UFC President Dana White during his appearance on ESPN’s Sport’s Center,
When news broke last night about UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor going after the 155-pound title in the main event of UFC 205 against Eddie Alvarez, many of you may have been wondering what this means for No. 1-ranked Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Well according to UFC President Dana White during his appearance on ESPN’s Sport’s Center, courtesy of MMA Fighting, ‘The Eagle’ is being targeted for the UFC 205 card as well, with an opponent in the form of Michael Johnson in mind.
“Khabib was also supposed to get a title fight at 155 pounds,” White said. “Khabib called and says, ‘Alright, I get it. Conor is getting this fight? Put me on New York, too.’ So, he wants to fight Michael Johnson.”
Nurmagomedov (23-0) is undefeated in his mixed martial arts (MMA) career, and his ridiculously dominating grappling style has been the downfall of each and every man who has stepped into the Octagon with him.
His last bout saw him emerge victorious yet again against UFC newcomer Darrell Horcher in their bout at UFC on FOX 19 this past April, where the Russian phenom put Horcher away with some nasty ground-and-pound in the second round.
Johnson (17-10) is coming off of a crushing first round knockout win over Dustin Poirier at UFC Fight Night 94, getting his first win in over a year.
‘The Menace’ was previously riding a two-fight losing skid in which he was bested by Beneil Dariush in a split decision loss in August of last year, and a unanimous decision loss to ‘Stockton Strangler’ Nate Diaz in their clash at UFC on FOX 17 in December.
UFC 205 will take place live on pay-per-view (PPV) for the first time from the Madison Square Garden arena, in New York City on November 12, 2016.
Well, it happened. The news we were all expecting, then not expecting, was made official late last night. Headlining the UFC 205 New York card are Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor. Adding to the steam that announcement creates in some circles is the fact McGregor will retain his featherweight title. Agree or not, the bout
Well, it happened. The news we were all expecting, then not expecting, was made official late last night. Headlining the UFC 205 New York card are Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor. Adding to the steam that announcement creates in some circles is the fact McGregor will retain his featherweight title. Agree or not, the bout against Alvarez is huge in many ways. Fitting with the recent trend of money fights, having a champion vs. champion fight in the NYC debut for the promotion is a massive selling point.
Opposing that trail of thought is the ever-raging discussion on ‘legitimacy.’ Most definitely an intriguing topic, that argument is based on rankings holding primacy over what will line the pockets of certain individuals. In this particular case, the persons making big profit will be the UFC brass, Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez. It’s hard to argue against the latter, but many purist fans find it hard to swallow fight announcements like these because of their apparent cash-fuelled nature. Alas, at the least, we have a huge fight to look forward to. Oh, and ‘The Notorious’ will not be stripped of the featherweight belt.
Good For Profits, Bad For Khabib
Aside from the likely irate Jose Aldo, there’s one particular fighter who’s very annoyed at this whole McGregor vs. Alvarez deal. You guessed it, number one lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov is furious right now. Taking to Twitter, the undefeated 155-pounder made his feelings clear:
I have two bout agreements that bullshit champ refuses to sign. I got used the whole time to make Conor and Eddie get on their knees and beg
On the plus side, Khabib Nurmagomedov will surely be in line for the next crack at the lightweight belt. Assuming he is willing to wait that long, ‘The Eagle’ must be due his championship fight. In all honesty, who the heck knows anymore? The current climate of money talking louder in the UFC has no end in sight. Rankings, common sense and fan opinion be damned, but is that all bad?
Taking to Instagram, Nurmagomedov continued to vent his frustration, calling the UFC a ‘freak show.’
Freak Show
When I signed agreement with @UFC it was sport. Now it became a freak show, or I don’t know how to call it right. Only thing that keeping me in this cracking sport, is that I don’t want to stop on the halfway, I wasn’t raised like this, not a quitter. I’ll keep moving forward InshaAllah.
You could make arguments for both sides, but right now only one thing is certain. Khabib is pissed, Alvarez vs. McGregor is happening and yet again the featherweight division gets the stanky leg. Discuss!
In a recent interview on Five Rounds podcast with Brent Okamoto, No. 1 lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov didn’t mince words on who he thought should be next for a title shot.
In a recent interview on Five Rounds podcast with Brent Okamoto, No. 1 lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov didn’t mince words on who he thought should be next for a title shot.
“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? “
I agree. I don’t think McGregor has earned a lightweight title shot for any reason other than his undeniable drawing power. Granted, Khabib’s only match in 2 years was a win against unknown Darrell Horcher, but before that he did beat former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos, and is still undefeated. Still not enough? He’s the number 1 contender. While that may not hold as much weight as it did in the past, conventionally, if you haven’t lost to the current champ in recent history and you hold No. 1 contendership, then you get the shot.
“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?”
Why do they make ranking? Honestly, it may be a thing of the past. But getting back to the original point, does a 2 year hiatus really justify getting to the back of the line? It didn’t justify it for Dominick Cruz, it didn’t justify it for Jon Bones Jones, and I’m sure it won’t justify it for GSP. People complain that Khabib hasn’t fought the big names, well here’s his shot, this is the time we get to see what Khabib’s really made of. Besides, if not him, then who? Michael Johnson, Nate Diaz, RDA, Tony Ferguson? Who exactly is more deserving?
This is not to say Conor can’t win that fight. I could definitely see him out striking Alvarez if the current champion can’t get him to the ground. But if we’re talking about “deserving” at light heavyweight, Khabib is your guy. As for as Conor’s well thought out argument, it goes a little something like this…
While I like his style, and really this just adds to his appeal, I don’t think it’s a compelling argument. Nurmagomedov is no fool however and realizes you don’t always get what you deserve. Coupled with the fact Eddie Alvarez has been angling for the big money fight against McGregor since UFC 202, Khabib is already looking forward to other fights in case he doesn’t win the bid.
“I’m still focused. If the UFC gives him a title shot, it’s okay. I’m a little bit not happy and at the same time I’m a little bit happy, because if the UFC gives him a title shot and he becomes lightweight champion and I win somebody like a top five guy, then we have to fight and he has to fight with me…”
“Michael Johnson already beat Edson Barboza, he already beat Dustin Poirier, he already beat Tony Ferguson. I think Michael is good if I don’t fight for the title. Michael, Edson, I like Michael Chiesa but he’s still injured, somebody. I don’t care who is my opponent. If UFC don’t give me a title shot, I want to fight with the best. I don’t care who.”
In a recent twitter post Dana White said it would actually be Khabib vs. Alvarez at 205, but now rumors are saying they might headline 206 in Air Canada Centre, Ontario December 10th. But a promise from Dana White is like flipping a coin, 50/50 at best.
Who do you guys think deserves a the title shot, and does ranking really matter? Can Khabib and Eddie Alvarez even carry a card? Chime in with your opinions below.
As far as Khabib Nurmagomedov is concerned, the date for his UFC lightweight title fight with champion Eddie Alvarez isn’t important.
Nurmagomedov posted on Twitter late Thursday night that he is “about to sign bout agreement for (UFC) 205 and (UFC) 206 let’s see what the Philadelphia boy going to do.” He later added that “August, September, October and November I was offered to fight, but (Alvarez) never signed agreement.”
His final tweet mentioned “I have a surprise,” but the unbeaten Nurmagomedov has been quiet since.
Let's go @Ealvarezfight all your life you're warrior why you chicken now? The champ supposed to fight anyone @danawhite go out like a man
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
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?
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
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.”
