The new owners are looking to make a massive impression in the Big Apple.
When WME-IMG bought the Ultimate Fighting Championship from the Feritta brothers and Dana White, they dug deep. $4 billion deep.
The sporting and talent agency giants must see huge earning potential in the UFC as they out-bid several interested parties. Last month, Conor McGregor told The MMA Hour before his UFC 202 win over Nate Diaz that he had been approached by Ari Emanuel, the promotion’s new chief executive. McGregor commented:
“[Emanuel] said ‘You think you’ve made a lot of money now kid? We’re going to make you a lot more.’
“I thought ‘Who the f**k is that guy?'”
The promotion’s new owners are determined to make McGregor that bit richer before 2016 is out.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani has got word that McGregor versus Eddie Alvarez, for the lightweight belt, is the “top choice” of the brass for UFC 205 – the November 12 return to Manhattan, New York.
Main event for UFC 205 still not set. One big domino needs to fall and then they can move along, but it hasn't just yet. Interesting times.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 9, 2016
I would classify that as the top "choice" but very far from a done deal. Lots of moving parts at the moment. https://t.co/UZxePQDjIM
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 9, 2016
There have been suggestions that McGregor wants to hang onto his featherweight belt a while longer before defending it against Jose Aldo in early 2017. Whether or not he gets his wish, ‘The Notorious’ appears to be on a collision course with recently crowned 155 lb king Alvarez.
Alvarez has already dismissed the Dubliner as a serious threat to his belt. Not long after he beat Rafael Dos Anjos to claim his belt, Alvarez declared:
“I would ask Dana White to give me an easier fight like Conor McGregor. I deserve that!
“I’ve been fighting the best guys so I would like a gimme fight. I’d more than welcome that.”
Earlier this week, news broke that Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and Robbie Lawler are set to square off at 170 lbs. The deal is a few crossed ‘t’s’ and a couple of dotted ‘i’s’ from being done, according to Cerrone.
Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes https://t.co/NuMDtiQctN
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 8, 2016
There has also been talk of Rashad Evans taking on Tim Kennedy at UFC 205. Add Chris Weidman and Yoel Romero into the mix and we could have the card of the year.
Still, you can’t please everyone…
The GAA Hour Hurling Show relives Tipperary’s sensational All-Ireland victory with Paidí Maher. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
