Rematch, Edgar or lightweight.
Those are essentially the three options available to Conor McGregor after he unified the featherweight title against Jose Aldo in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 194 card.
Joe Rogan was front and centre as former champion Aldo got caught with a short left hook and stopped in just 13 seconds by the enigmatic McGregor.
And the UFC commentator has since revealed who he wants to see McGregor come up against next.
“The problem with doing a rematch with Conor McGregor and Aldo is that it would be so hard to sell when a guy gets knocked out quick,” Rogan said on his podcast on Monday.
“When you hype it up for as long as you did, for two separate events, it dies off and then the first punch Conor connects with puts him out? It’s hard to sell that.
“If you want to look at his lineage and history, yeah, a guy who was champion for 10 years, he should have a rematch.”
While a long-time champion should get an immediate rematch, Rogan doesn’t sound sold on McGregor v Aldo II directly after such a comprehensive win.
“I think a lot of what [the UFC] has done has been based on what compelling contenders they have for that title. Compelling contenders where you look at their style and the style of the current champion.
“@FrankieEdgar by knockout!” The Answer KOs @chadmendes… ? #TUFFinale https://t.co/aNZFJ2qHAC
— #UFC194 (@btsportufc) December 12, 2015
“If you wanted to make the most intriguing stylistic match-up, I think it’s Frankie Edgar.
“A guy who won the title at 155 pounds, beat legends in B.J. Penn, just knocked out Chad Mendes with one punch, before that beat the fuck out of Cub Swanson. He’s smushed everyone they’ve put in front of him for a few years now. He’s a monster.”
It’s clear that Rogan prefers the notion of McGregor v Edgar than any other fight on the table for the Irishman right now.
“Some people are mad that I said I don’t think it’s smart that Aldo fight right away,” Rogan continued. “First of all, Aldo got knocked dead. When you get knocked dead like that you need a long time off. You need at least six months off. Conor McGregor could fight next Tuesday and so could Frankie Edgar.
“I think that fight would be fucking bananas. For a fan, I’m so excited to see that fight. Frankie has a very dangerous style for a guy like Conor who was taken down repeatedly by Chad Mendes. He’s a nasty wrestler. His cardio is off the chain. His footwork is fantastic
“He’s got Mark Henry in his corner. They’re going to come up with a badass gameplan. Between Henry and John Kavanagh and a winner like Frankie and a winner like Conor, goddamn.”
Goddamn indeed, Mr Rogan.
