Thoughts on UFC 246

Conor McGregor won the safe bet, now it’s time for the Parlay.

UFC 246 was more about the main event than any other in recent memory, and the UFC and Conor McGregor had more on the line in this one contest than they probably have ever had.

If Conor had lost to a 36-year-old Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, it would have been catastrophic for the UFC and Mystic Mac. The UFC would be left to figure out how to promote a fighter that hadn’t won since 2016 and McGregor would be forced to question his almost superhuman belief in himself.

This was a scenario Dana White did not want to contemplate.

Considering that Cowboy was coming off of two losses in a row, in which he was outclassed completely by Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson, Conor would have a very hard time calling out any top tier talent in either the lightweight or welterweight division if he had lost.

I am a big fan of Cowboy, and would have cheered loudly if he had won last night, but I was relieved as a fight fan that he lost and Conor won so spectacularly.

Cowboy is as real a fighter as there has ever been in the MMA game. We all know he’ll fight anyone, anywhere, at anytime. More importantly, Dana White knows this. So, either through regular matchups, guys dropping out of big fights due to injuries/personal reasons, or fighters ducking other fighters, there will still be great opportunities for a fighter as popular as Cowboy for as long as he willing (or his body will hold up).

With Conor securing such a quick and clean, (did he even get hit?) victory, it created even more options for the UFC and Conor. He’s coming out of this fight healthy, happy, and his supreme confidence intact.

Now the decision for who’s next must be made.

Conor sounded like he was open to fight a few different people next. From Masvidal to Nurmagomedov in the octagon, or a possible boxing match with Manny Pacuiao at the new Raiders stadium in Las Vegas (that is set to open this July), he even threw shade at Paul Felder inside the cage while talking with Joe Rogan.

Dana White thinks the obvious fight to make is the rematch with Khabib. To be honest, he’s not wrong from a business sense. The U.S. Treasury would  have to print more cash just for this fight. I just have a hard time seeing a different outcome than the first fight.

Khabib vs McGregor 

I think Khabib will drag Conor to the ground in the first 2-3 rounds and deliver his brutal ground and pound, while making Conor carry all of his weight. He might even get Conor out of there quickly if he does. If not, Conor will be drained enough for Khabib to lose any fear of Conor’s power in the later rounds, if it even goes that far.

All of this is not to say I don’t think Conor could win. I’d give him a better-than-30-percent chance, it’s just that I think there’s one more drop of juice to squeeze before you make that fight.

Go with Conor Vs Gaethje

I think the fight to make next is Conor versus Justin Gaethje. The “highlight” is coming off of three spectacular knockouts over three ranked opponents, (including Donald Cerrone) and has been waiting for his next opponent to be named for quite awhile.

Justin’s style is a perfect fit for Conor. Even though Gaethje is an elite wrestler, we haven’t seen it in any of his first six fights in the UFC. I think there’s very little chance we would see it against Conor either. I see a fight where Justin is right there inside Conor’s range the whole fight, however long it lasts.

Justin has been fighting a lot smarter his last three fights. His movement and willingness to use some really good defense has taken him out of harm’s way just enough that he hasn’t taken those big shots early in fights, like he did when he fought Michael Johnson, Eddie Alvarez, and Dustin Poirier.

That being said, I think McGregor is too talented a striker to not overcome Justin’s defense. He’s also faster and has bigger power. Conor would have to get him out of there in under two rounds, or Justin’s leg kicks and body shots will have done their job.

Oh, and did I mention there’s money to be made on this fight?

There is.

Lots of it.

Whoever Conor fights next, there will be money made on it. If Conor fights Khabib next and loses, they gain that money, but future fight earnings could be less for both Conor and the UFC.

I understand the business side, and if i’m Dana White the safe bet is Khabib next while Conor’s stock is back up to its all time high. But hey, he’s in Vegas. Why not bet on Conor dusting Gaethje, then the rematch against Khabib, and win, lose, or draw, the trilogy fight against Nate Diaz. 

You gotta bet the parlay.