For a man who didn’t fight or attend Saturday’s UFC on FOX 17 event, Conor McGregor sure was a popular topic.
There was lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos (25-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC), who – after a 66-second knockout of challenger Donald Cerrone in Saturday’s main event at Orlando, Fla.’s Amway Center – politely warned the recently crowned featherweight champion to stay in his own division.
Then there was main-card winner Nate Diaz (18-10 MMA, 13-8 UFC), who – after upsetting Michael Johnson (16-10 MMA, 8-6 UFC) via unanimous decision – not so politely said he’s sick of fellow lightweights and his featherweight counterparts “betting for a fight” with the Irishman.
However, McGregor (19-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who said he wants to hold titles in both weight classes after recently defeating Jose Aldo (25-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) for the 145-pound belt, said that’s exactly what he wants: would-be opponents begging for the opportunity.
As he tweeted after Saturday’s event:
The reason so many fighters want a matchup with McGregor is simple: It’s a guaranteed big payday with a massive pay-per-view audience (notice the new car in McGregor’s tweet?). For now, though, a winner still hasn’t been determined for the McGregor Sweepstakes, which could also include recent UFC Fight Night 80 winner and perennial contender Frankie Edgar, who’s been calling for a fight with McGregor.
For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 17, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
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