A third title bout was just announced for UFC 205, with a super fight between Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor being made official for the promotion’s debut show in New York.
Word came just days after Dana White said that the bout wouldn’t happen, and that McGregor is ‘hurt’, so the title shot will go to Khabib Nurmagomedov. The undefeated Russian fighter also showed photos of him receiving and signing two bout agreements to face Alvarez, but the match up never came to fruition.
The number 1 ranked lightweight expressed his frustration on social media, as he felt like he was just being used as a pawn for negotiations between Alvarez and McGregor.
I have two bout agreements that bullshit champ refuses to sign. I got used the whole time to make Conor and Eddie get on their knees and beg
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 27, 2016
Just for the record @Ealvarezfight and @TheNotoriousMMA fear me I’m just a man. Your time will come to get my hands on you
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 27, 2016
While a portion of fans have complained about McGregor holding down the featherweight division or jumping the line at lightweight, I personally can’t complain about getting an exciting champion vs champion bout instead. McGregor vs Alvarez guarantees fireworks, and instead of getting a rematch, it also leaves the door open for other possible fresh match ups such as Jose Aldo vs Max Holloway.
There’s also the fact that Alvarez vs McGregor is clearly the bigger money fight. I can’t really be surprised or complain about what’s “fair”, seeing that this is prizefighting after all.
Khabib has every right to complain, especially after all that he was promised. But for the fans and pundits alike, we’re all definitely in for a treat by getting a super-fight that tops a card with three title bouts.
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