Last Saturday, in the main event of UFC 205, UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor took on lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez in a bid to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. The Irishman succeeded on this mission in the biggest way possible.
In the wake of this disappointing loss, Alvarez has been extremely hard on himself, repeatedly scolding himself for abandoning his game plan. Despite his clear disappointment in the way things unfolded at UFC 205, however, the former lightweight champ was able to step back and look at McGregor’s amazing career from the perspective of a fan. From this perspective, he offered up his thoughts on who the new lightweight champ should fight next.
Though logic suggests McGregor might next take on a top lightweight in Khabib Nurmagomedov or Tony Ferguson, an old rival in Nate Diaz, or interim featherweight champ Jose Aldo, Alvarez favors a fifth option.
“Tony Ferguson, that’s not a pay-per-view, that’s not a draw. Nobody cares about that. I don’t know how many people care about Khabib. People would only really care if he fought for a third title. That would be fun. People would tune in for that, if he fought for the 170 [pound title].”
The 170-pound division, of course, is currently ruled by Tyron Woodley, who defended his title with a majority draw against Stephen Thompson just before McGregor’s history making win.
Though McGregor would surrender a significant size advantage to Woodley, the groundwork for this fight is already laid. Not only were the Irishman’s two fights with Diaz at 170 pounds, but he and Woodley also shared a handful of tense run-ins in the buildup to UFC 205.
Do you agree with Alvarez on this one, or should McGregor focus on defending one his titles? Sound off, PENN Nation!
UFC superstar Conor McGregor might be a key presence in Paul Hughes’ corner for a potential title fight against Bellator lightweight champ Usman Nurmagomedov.
