Report | Conor McGregor Turned Down Movie Role to Fight at UFC 205

Last December, Irish superstar Conor McGregor won the UFC featherweight title by knocking out former champion Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds. Instead of defending that title, the Irishman’s next move was an immediate jump up to lightweight to challenge for former champion Rafael Dos Anjos’ crown.

As we now know, of course, this is not the way things would unfold. Dos Anjos withdrew from this bout from an injury, only to be replaced by Stockton’s Nate Diaz, who defeated McGregor in a last-minute welterweight bout. A few months later, McGregor would even the score with Diaz, scoring a majority decision win in their UFC 202 welterweight rematch. And all the while, the featherweight division trundled on without it’s undisputed champion.

After UFC 202, however, the chaotic Diaz-McGregor saga seems to have been put to bed – at least for now. Diaz plans to take some time off, unless another money fight presents itself. McGregor, meanwhile, hopes to drop down to lightweight for the title shot he was originally supposed to get earlier this year – though the division is now ruled by Eddie Alvarez, not Dos Anjos.

Over the last few days, rumors have been swirling that this McGregor vs. Alvarez bout could occur at the UFC’s highly anticipated debut in New York City’s Madison Square Garden on November 12. According to @TalkMMA on Twitter, who has been breaking lots of news recently, this bout is much closer to fruition than any of us realized. The big hurdle still remaining is McGregor’s desire to keep his featherweight title, instead of being stripped.

Per my source: The biggest negotiation point for McGregor/Alvarez is McGregor wanting to hold onto his FW title. Defend it early next year.

— #Dizz (@TalkMMA) September 7, 2016

The same account is also reporting that McGregor turned down a movie role to allow for this possible November title bout with Alvarez.

Also, to my understanding McGregor turned down a movie role to fight Alvarez at MSG

— #Dizz (@TalkMMA) September 7, 2016

Do you think McGregor vs. Alvarez will headline the UFC’s trip to New York City, or are we in for another stalemate between McGregor and the UFC? Sound off, PENN nation!