Conor McGregor reveals 'big' UFC 205 announcement is not to be missed
Conor McGregor has stated that the much talked about announcement coming after his fight with Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 will be ‘big’ news, telling fans ‘not to blink’.
Ever since Dana White let it slip that there was a big Conor McGregor announcement coming after UFC 205, the internet has been raging with rumors. White said it is something ‘completely out of left field’, but reiterated it’s ‘Conor’s business’ to tell, not his.
Forever the strategists, one can only assume the teasing is a marketing ploy by both men. Still, the teasing has worked.
Will it be the fabled Floyd Mayweather fight? McGregor even brought it up again at the UFC 205 press conference when asked about his future.
“I don’t know what anyone else has for me round here. I might have to jump up and go drag Floyd Mayweather out of bed and see where he’s at again,” McGregor said.
Perhaps this was a hint. It has been discussed widely in the press for many months, and isn’t as absurd an idea now as it once was. So that wouldn’t qualify as far out in the ‘left field’. Additionally, a fight with Mayweather wouldn’t be much of a ‘personal’ situation, as White suggested.
The next major rumor is of retirement. This is highly unlikely. At 28, he is arguably the biggest star in the sport, and has years of fighting and wealth ahead of him.
A year long break from competition holds more weight. The Irishman has had a demanding schedule since his rise to fame, and his fight with Alvarez will be his sixth in two years. Rumors have circulated about this putting a strain on his family life, and that he might be about to become a father.
Presently, this seems like the most likely outcome. However, McGregor told fans ‘not to blink’, reiterating that the news will be ‘big’. Though I’m sure his girlfriends pregnancy is a big deal to them, announcing that to an audience of millions after such a buildup will be rather anticlimactic.
But if he does take a year off, what can we expect? Dana White stated Conor will be forced to give up one of the belts in November. If he beats Alvarez and chooses the lightweight title as his favorite, the UFC has a decision to make – do they put the division on hold whilst their biggest star has some family time?
Other fighters will be annoyed with this but the UFC/Conor McGregor relationship has a habit of annoying other fighters. This outcome is far from impossible. And maybe they’ll throw in an interim title fight to help calm the storm.
Plus, the return of superstar Ronda Rousey will lighten the UFC’s dependence on Conor McGregor. A perfect opportunity to rest the Dubliner.
I must apologize to McGregor fans for this hypothetical, yet this has to be considered: what happens if he loses in New York? Now we have a conundrum. Though technically still the featherweight champion, keeping a division on hold for two years without just cause is ridiculous.
He has fought twice since winning the title, yet hasn’t defended his belt once. A break for personal reasons doesn’t seem justification enough to disrupt the featherweight division further.
Initially, his fight with Eddie can come across as a ‘win-win’ situation. If he loses, he’s still champion. If he wins, he has his choice of titles. But if we look deeper, and take the vacation rumor seriously, there is a chance McGregor could board the plane back to Ireland as a non-champion. With the emphasis on the ‘two weight world champion’ narrative, that would be nightmarish for the UFC.
This is all further evidence of the marketing genius which is Conor McGregor. He has a world of fans bashing their heads together trying to figure this out. Who else can get you so hyped for a post-fight interview?
Whatever you think of the ‘Notorious’ Conor McGregor, you cannot deny his ability to create a story. And in 26 days, we shall l all find out how this chapter of the story ends.
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