First off, some good news.
Joanna Jędrzejczyk appears to have got herself a fight.
The UFC Women’s Straw-weight champion was last seen in action grinding out a tough win over Cláudia Gadelha in Las Vegas, on July 8, to go 12-0 in her mixed martial arts career. Karolina Kowalkiewicz had been linked as the woman to step up. The champ’s Polish compatriot is up to No.2 contender after taking a split decision win over Rose Namajunas at UFC 201.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKs2audA9C6/?taken-by=perfecting_athletes
What has all this to do with McGregor, you ponder?
The original Instagram post from Perfecting Athletes, who look after Jędrzejczyk’s nutritional needs, stated that she would be fighting at UFC 205 in New York. The post was witnessed by MMA writer James Lynch before it was deleted.
UPDATE: The bout was then confirmed, three hours later, by the UFC.
BREAKING: @JoannaMMA defends her belt against @KarolinaMMA, @MieshaTate returns to take on @RockyPMMA at #UFC205! ➡️ https://t.co/2v5wjVlDKV pic.twitter.com/Yv0jM6RAF2
— UFC (@ufc) September 23, 2016
While a Jędrzejczyk-Kowalkiewicz title tilt would be huge news in Poland and go down well with most right-minded fight fans, it would not be enough of a main event draw.
However, the UFC would be unlikely to stack the card with more than two title fights. The post also comes 24 hours after it was revealed, on UFC Tonight, that Eddie Alvarez missed out on defending his lightweight belt against Khabib Nurmagomedov after stalling over his bout agreement.
It is unlikely, then, that Alvarez versus McGregor would take its place. Two title fights on the card also make it doubtful that the UFC would be desperate to stick a featherweight title bout between McGregor and Jose Aldo top of the bill.
Chris Weidman’s fight with Yoel Romero has yet to be confirmed but would be well up the main card.
McGregor’s camp insist, meanwhile, he is ready to fight again. John Kavanagh, his coach, posted this earlier today:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKsuj9jgbl7/
Dana White will host a UFC 205 press conference at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. All will be officially revealed but fight details are leaking by the day.
