Conor McGregor really stepped up the insanity for UFC 223. In typical ‘Notorious’ fashion, the Irishman brought massive publicity to an event he wasn’t even part of. This time, though, McGregor ended up in handcuffs and charged with assault in New York…
Following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s UFC 223 title win, a number of strange situations have arisen. Although he dominated Al Iaquinta for the belt, the title fight at last weekend’s New York event was shrouded in madness, injuries, assault and just overall chaos.
For the fourth time in their careers, Nurmagomedov and then-interim champ Tony Ferguson were scheduled to fight at UFC 223. With Conor McGregor absent, the full title would be on the line for the winner.
Again, the fight fell apart, this time a leg injury to the steel pole kicking Ferguson was the catalyst for disaster. Never fear, said the UFC, as featherweight champion Max Holloway stepped in.
You know what they say about best laid plan B’s…
Nurmagomedov Won The Title But Its Complicated
Ferguson remains the number one contender, according to Dana White, but there’s still the question of where McGregor stands in all of this. His now infamous attack on the bus full of fighters, including ‘The Eagle, prior to UFC 223 cast McGregor in a seriously poor light.
That said, ‘The Eagle’ beat a lastminute replacement for a last minute replacement at UFC 223. Some fans are now even calling ‘The Eagle’ a ‘Paper Champ.’ Meanwhile, McGregor’s first social media post since the affray in Brooklyn has been flooded by fans of the Russian wrestler.
Check it out:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhV4vR4HEs9/?hl=en&taken-by=thenotoriousmma
“Khabib Time”
In just over an hour, the thread has been swamped by angry Khabib fans calling out McGregor for his actions. Which leads to an interesting side note-a lot of people are questioning whether the whole bus attack was a publicity stunt.
Although Dana White called it ‘disgusting,’ the video was all over the UFC website and social media the next day. Was this damage control or simply plugging an incident they had planned with everyone in on the stunt?
Back to the topic at hand:
Legit or No?
Never mind the fact ‘Raging Bull’ was ranked number 11 and didn’t officially make weight, he was in on just 24 hours notice to fight the undefeated and rampant Nurmagomedov. Prior to this, ranked opponents in Edson Barboza and Michael Johnson suffered a similar fate.
Khabib has fought whoever the UFC put in front of him, aside from Ferguson due to multiple injuries and missed weights. Are fans justified in calling Khabib a paper champion? The answer is no.
Without a doubt, fights with Ferguson and McGregor must happen next, but the Irishman’s absence from fighting and Ferguson’s latest injury cannot be blamed on Nurmagomedov. Yet to be undisputed? Yes, but no paper champion.
