"Who do you want to see the Notorious fight in his six-fight contract?"
As we recovered from Proper Twelve whiskey, taking a s*** on the bus, and all the other insults hurled during yesterday's UFC 229 press conference between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, something quite significant happened. Reports came in that McGregor-- combat sports' biggest star on the planet-- had signed a six-fight deal with the UFC , (although ESPN's Ariel Helwani argued that this probably means zilch).
But forget the caveats and the negativity. Let's let in a little sunlight and hope because we are fans. And fans want to see fighters fight.
For our own happiness, let's assume that the contract actually allows us to see McGregor fight six more times in the UFC. Who would we like the champ-champ to face in the Octagon?
As we know, truth in the UFC can sometimes be stranger than fiction, so the Armchair's picks will be categorized into separate groups, based on how likely they are to happen.
The likely fights (what should happen)
Khabib Nurmagomedov v Conor McGregor II
The Oct 6 fight may see a close decision or a dominant win for either fighter. Of course, the latter could rule out the chance for a rematch in the near future.
But it's difficult to see a future where these two don't collide again. They are at the very top of the 155 division, and they also happen to be two of the biggest stars in the entire promotion.
Also, last week's press conference showed us how they absolutely hate each other; this rivalry is something we haven't really seen since the vitriol of Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.
Even after Bruce Buffer announces the winner in Las Vegas, it's quite unlikely that the beef will be quashed. And if UFC 229 makes money, you can bet a rematch will be on the cards.
Conor McGregor v Tony Ferguson
You've got to feel sorry for El Cucuy. He lost the interim championship because he tripped on a wire doing media work for the UFC, and that's made him the forgotten man in the lightweight division.
Three's a crowd and he's had to watch on as the Khabib-Conor rivalry skyrockets its way to the bank, leaving him behind.
But let's not forget that this man is on a ten fight winning streak. He is still the most unorthodox challenge in the division and he will be a fascinating opponent for McGregor.
His fight against former champion Anthony Pettis is the co-main event at UFC 229, and he has to be the next title challenger if he wins.
We could see this fight even sooner than we think. If God forbid, something causes Khabib to pull out, Ferguson will be there to step in. And that's still a damn good match-up.
Conor McGregor v Nate Diaz III
As long as Diaz and McGregor are still in the UFC (and probably after they retire), fans will want these two to keep fighting.
The series is tied 1-1--although Diaz still believes he won the second fight. The fight is guaranteed to bring in millions, and we know that's music to the ears of both fighters and the UFC.
Putting the money aside, it's still an intriguing fight. Diaz was one of McGregor's toughest match-ups, and a trilogy fight would attract hardcore and casual fans alike.
Regardless of whether Diaz beats Dustin Poirier at UFC 230, it will be a horrible pity if this fight doesn't materialise somehow.
The outliers(what could happen)
Conor McGregor v Tyron Woodley
As many MMA observers have noted, Conor McGregor does not believe in standing still. He's not the guy who will defend his title when there's a chance, maybe, to grab a title in a third weight class.
He's already fought Diaz at 170 lbs. And as we saw at UFC 205 (where he won his second division belt), McGregor and welterweight champ Tyron Woodley don't get along. Woodley is swiftly running out of challengers in his division, and the money would be difficult to resist. So would the chance to shut the Irishman's mouth.
What's in it for Conor? Well, the (former) champ-champ does what he wants. Imagine what the champ-champ-champ could do.
Conor McGregor vs Georges St-Pierre
What could be bigger than a McGregor-GSP fight? The Canadian legend, who many view as the UFC's GOAT has already talked about fighting at 155lb, and this would be the biggest MMA fight of all time.
GSP has already held welterweight and middleweight championship belts. Depending on the situation, would it really be too much to imagine him contesting the lightweight belt?
McGregor would love the challenge to topple the GOAT from his perch. We never got the Anderson Silva-GSP fight that we wanted, so this would be the ultimate legacy fight.
The horrible(please God, don't let this happen)
Conor McGregor v Floyd Mayweather II
There is nothing else to say but this: the only thing that could justify this stupid, insane, freakshow would be the sight of McGregor annihilating Mayweather in the Octagon.
In the name of all that is holy, this should never happen. But, given the way things are going lately, you just never know.
I'm off to cleanse myself with bleach.
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