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Pale drive Conor McGregor can kiss goodbye to Khabib rematch – so what subsequent for The Infamous after UFC 257 defeat?
After being knocked out for the primary time in his MMA profession, Conor McGregor has relinquished any likelihood of going through Russian rival Khabib Nurmagomedov once more. So the place does the Irishman go from right here?
McGregor’s return to the UFC octagon after a 12-month hiatus didn’t go to plan on the Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi.
After arriving on Battle Island earlier within the week on a superyacht in sometimes ostentatious type, it was not the sleek crusing again into the UFC light-weight ranks that McGregor had hoped for or foretold.
As an alternative, the 32-year-old was despatched crashing with a second-round barrage from Poirier, who handed his rival a first-ever non-submission defeat contained in the cage and likewise exacted revenge for his loss by the hands of the Dubliner again in 2014.
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It was a refined efficiency from The Diamond as he now seems in direction of a shot at UFC gold in an thrilling 155lbs division.
Fellow light-weight Michael Chandler, who marked his UFC debut in explosive trend with a first-round end of Dan Hooker of their co-main occasion earlier on within the card, could possibly be the person subsequent up for Poirier because the pair battle for the title.
Elsewhere, the likes of Brazil’s Charles Oliveira – who was spectacular in his win in opposition to Tony Ferguson in December – and Justin Gaethje will proceed to be talked about within the title body dialog.
However as issues form up for an intriguing 2021 among the many UFC’s lightweights, the enterprise finish of the division seems like taking part in out with out McGregor, no less than within the instant future.
As an alternative, the previous two-weight champion should lick his wounds and reassess the place he needs to go from right here after a chastening expertise in Abu Dhabi.
Already stupendously rich – as evidenced by his showy arrival on Battle Island – the Irishman should reassess whether or not the fireplace actually does nonetheless burn because it as soon as did.
McGregor had seemed good and sharp in spherical one in opposition to Poirier earlier than coming undone by the American’s damaging calf kicks after which getting caught out by a savage second-round assault.
For the second time in three fights, followers have been left with the enduring picture of McGregor trying battered, bruised and overwhelmed.
The Irishman took his defeat with the nice grace that had characterised the build-up to the combat, discovering the phrases to reward Poirier and providing solely a touch of an excuse by pointing to his inactivity as being behind his downfall.
"I'm gutted." Conor McGregor reacts after his #UFC257 loss. pic.twitter.com/CJN7a2FuZg
— UFC (@ufc) January 24, 2021
McGregor vowed that he was able to mud himself off and go once more in 2021.
However the plan for the Irishman had at all times been to construct up a head of steam and reassert his credentials to face Khabib once more.
It’s the itch that the Dubliner has been determined to scratch ever since he was choked out by his Russian nemesis on that spite-filled Las Vegas night time again in 2018.
UFC boss Dana White had teased followers with the prospect that we may see the pair again within the octagon once more, suggesting that Khabib may step out of retirement if one in all his light-weight rivals suitably impressed him with one thing “spectacular” at UFC 257.
That gave the impression to be stretching credibility considerably, contemplating the noises persistently coming from Khabib that he would follow the retirement determination he introduced after seeing off Justin Gaethje in October.
However nonetheless, White’s assertions allowed followers to dream that we may no less than see McGregor and the Russian again within the octagon once more – if the previous may return with fireworks this weekend.
As an alternative, all of the pyrotechnics have been from Poirier because the Irishman fizzled.
Khabib took to social media to counsel that McGregor had been residing a deluded existence which contributed to his downfall in Abu Dhabi.
McGregor hit again with a forlorn try and name the Russian out to reply for his phrases, however that combat actually is a fantasy after this weekend’s occasions.
That is what occurred, if you change your workforce, go away the sparring companions who made you a champion and sparring with little children, far-off from actuality.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 24, 2021
However even when the Khabib rematch has gone ceaselessly, it doesn’t imply McGregor is with out choices – albeit as a considerably pale drive whose blockbuster attract has waned after his newest loss.
THE DIAZ TRILOGY AND FAN-FRIENDLY MASVIDAL
The instant clamor after UFC 257 has been for McGregor to finish his trilogy with Nate Diaz, with whom he shared two basic encounters in 2016.
After Dana White stated Diaz was set for an octagon return in 2021, a 3rd combat with McGregor was a salivating prospect for a lot of followers.
McGregor x Diaz three subsequent. At 155. There’s by no means been a greater time.
One other fan-friendly throwdown can be with inaugural UFC ‘BMF’ Jorge Masvidal.
The Cuban-American fell quick in his tilt at welterweight gold final 12 months, and whereas a combat with friend-turned-enemy Colby Covington beckons for Masvidal, a profitable match-up with McGregor is one which he has beforehand talked up.
Each these fights maintain crowd-pleasing potential, however neither would realistically insert McGregor again into title rivalry at 155lbs – assuming that’s the place the Irishman is really chasing gold.
If he needs to regroup and rebuild within the light-weight ranks, McGregor might have to take action by way of a showdown with a rival decrease down the rungs.
Ought to, as anticipated, Khabib vacate the 155lbs title then these most firmly in line to contest it are Poirier, Chandler, Oliveira and Gaethje.
That makes McGregor the odd man out. He may, nevertheless, face whichever one in all Gaethje, Chandler or Oliveira doesn’t get a shot at inheritor obvious Poirier.
Much less alluring and profitable can be Hooker – destroyed by debutant Chandler in Abu Dhabi – and even Tony Ferguson, though with back-to-back defeats, the 36-year-old sadly seems one thing of a spent drive.
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RING RETURN
After which there may be at all times boxing. McGregor made historical past along with his profitable foray into the ring to face Floyd Mayweather in 2017, and this was probably stated to be the 12 months after we would see the Irishman between the ropes once more, this time with Manny Pacquiao.
McGregor even alluded to that in his post-fight press convention in Abu Dhabi, referencing the brutal calf kicks Poirier had dished out and noting how he can be freed from these within the boxing ring.
McGregor: "There's none of them leg kicks in boxing. I at all times did wish to concentrate on my MMA profession, however I'm additionally open. I'll simply see what occurs… That Manny combat was occurring, it was nearly as good as finished."
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 24, 2021
ROCKY ROAD
However whether or not within the ring or the cage, it may all boil all the way down to the query of whether or not McGregor nonetheless has the starvation to compete as he as soon as did.
Dana White stated as a lot within the wake of UFC 257, likening the Irishman’s story to that of Rocky Balboa.
“Look, there may be too methods this goes – hungrier or I am finished, he is acquired the cash,” White stated.
“That is like Rocky III, if you get supplied a 300-foot yacht, it’s powerful to be a savage when he’s residing like he’s.
“When he was a younger child he was hungry, now he has acquired all the things he ever needed so I do not know, it goes this manner or that method.”
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McGregor now has to resolve the place the following act takes him – however one factor is definite, it is not going to contain Khabib Nurmagomedov as among the many protagonists.
