Despite Not Having Fought in Two Years, Conor McGregor Has Moved Up the Lightweight Rankings… Speculation Mounts That An Announcement Will Be Made On Friday…
When Tony Ferguson wakes up today he’s probably going to burn down the T-Mobile Arena. Despite not having fought in the UFC for two years, Conor McGregor has somehow managed to move up the lightweight rankings, back into the No. 1 contender spot.
Previously Ferguson, the former interim champion, had held that rank. It’s another kick in the teeth for El Cucuy who injured himself at a UFC press event, horrifically tearing his LCL last April. Anyway moving on from him – what does this change in the rankings mean?
We all know. It’s the UFC setting the stage for a potential announcement tomorrow in New York. While no confirmation has been made, Khabib Nurmagamedov and Conor McGregor look set to fight on October 6, at UFC 229, in Las Vegas. Boom.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl7zdQmlFpF/?hl=en&taken-by=themaclife.cmg
Fight Time
It looks like a deal has finally been done between the two men and the UFC. Negotiations have been ongoing over the past number of months, but everything escalated very quickly – as expected – after the Irishman’s legal issues were sorted out.
A source close to McGregor’s camp is reporting that tickets will go on sale in just over two weeks, on August 17. While the Notorious wanted to fight at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the UFC pushed for their home in Las Vegas.
Okay, so Conor McGregor's Ireland-based lawyer Graham Kenny posted this to his Instagram story yesterday evening. H/T to @FrontRowBrian. If true, 'The Notorious' will take on Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in a little over nine weeks time. #UFC pic.twitter.com/A8aH06NYAu
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) August 1, 2018
Postive Reports
There has been nothing but positive reports coming out of both camps regarding negotiations. The most complicated part for the UFC was not dealing with McGregor, but actually trying to figure out how much to pay Khabib. If the deal is done then you’d assume his representatives are satisfied. It will be fascinating to see if he gets the $10 million he asked for.
Meanwhile, McGregor will definitely be paid a record fee for an MMA fighter. The Irishman is the most marketable combat sports athlete on the planet and stands to make about $50 million from this fight. Even if he loses he’ll still be running happily to the bank.
Honey I’m home pic.twitter.com/Mx1fJLKLmX
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 2, 2018
Fight Time
Although the official website has yet to be updated, the announcement was made on UFC Tonight, the promotion’s official news program on Fox Sports 1. It’s real and it looks like the biggest MMA fight of all time is about to happen.
A glance at The Notorious’s Twitter page will show you that they’re not exactly keeping his comeback a secret. Oh Conor, you’re such a tease. This is going to be absolutely epic. How can you not be excited?
