Conor McGregor has had an amazing career full of highs and lows, but mostly highs. McGregor has been at the throat of the UFC recently by demanding he be allowed to fight in the lightweight division.
UFC president Dana White has been feeling the pressures of slipping fights, ratings and money since the pandemic hit. White also faced the public outburst of McGregor when McGregor released a text conversation between him and White. McGregor’s strategy was to force Dana White into submission and allow him to continue to, well, be Conor McGregor.
McGregor has not met the weight requirements for the lightweight division but insists on fighting within it. His opponents had their opinions on McGregor and don’t seem to be afraid to take him on, even at a heftier weight class.
McGregor had wanted to compete three times in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic and disenchantment at options the UFC had presented to him led to an abrupt retirement earlier in the year.
McGregor wanted to return to the UFC in an exhibition fight involving Dustin Poirier in Dublin, but as they’re both contracted to the UFC, a pro fight offer was extended to both instead.
McGregor said he’d accept but demanded the fight be scheduled in November or December. Dana White refused and offered a take-it-or-leave it date of January 23.
McGregor eventually accepted. Now Nurmagomedov issued a new ultimatum this week saying if he was desperate for a lightweight title shot he’d have to fight Poirier at 155-pounds rather than the welterweight limit of 170-pounds.
The American, a former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion and the newest UFC recruit, said that McGregor’s recent campaign at 170-pounds is “smoke and mirrors” because he’s fighting lightweights in that division rather than legitimate welterweights like Jorge Masvidal.
“For me, I show up at the weight they want me to fight. If the UFC is not willing to let catch-weights happen and says if you fight at 170 you’re not getting the title shot [at 155], then I’m fighting at 155,” Chandler said.
McGregor may not secure the 155-pound title shot if he keeps fighting at 170.
“Let’s be honest, Conor’s never fought a welterweight but has put on a facade fighting at welterweight. He’s never fought a welterweight at welterweight.”
Them is some strong fightin words from Nurmagomedov. Let’s see what happens and if this truly becomes a David vs Goliath story, or another money hyper dance in the UFC ring.
