SUMMARY
- In a recent podcast, Josh Thomson discussed the current scenario of Conor McGregor's contact with the promotion.
- Josh Thomson and John McCarthy shared their thoughts on Tony Ferguson being the right opponent for McGregor.
Conor McGregor has become a name synonymous with combat sports, in particular the UFC. The Irish mixed martial artist has reached the level of popularity and fame that many sports personalities, irrespective of their field, could only wish for. He has been able to pull crowds not only from his home country of Ireland but also across the globe, playing a key role in putting the UFC on the map.
Conor McGregor’s rise to being an icon can be attributed to his unmatched confidence, elite fighting ability, and supreme mic skills. Being part of the UFC’s most memorable rivalries and promotions, Conor left no stone unturned when it came to building up fights. In a recent podcast, MMA veteran Josh Thomson discussed the current scenario of McGregor’s contact with the promotion.
Josh stated, “I think the UFC is going be holding him out until he re-signs a new contract. And that sunset clause is going to last another 2 years by then he would be 37 and they won’t care what he does” during his discussion with UFC referee John McCarthy.
Thomson further added, “I think they are holding him out and holding him prisoner right now, I guess. You would say holding hostage right now”. He believes that the UFC is delaying Conor’s departure from the company by offering him fights he wouldn’t take to initiate a new contract.
UFC veteran says Conor McGregor vs Tony Ferguson the fight to make
Further, Josh Thomson and John McCarthy shared their thoughts on Tony Ferguson being the right opponent for McGregor. The UFC referee argued that Ferguson wouldn’t be the appropriate challenger for Conor due to his ongoing 7-fight win streak. Also, it wouldn’t build anything bigger for the company, and Ferguson won’t take the money fight as a retirement and would surely continue.
I love Tony. We represented him amazingly at Paradigm sports and were betrayed for a promise of a baseball contract. But frame and preparation here was just embarrassing. His methods and conversation are humorous/enjoyable but he was never the level perceived. Although tough.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 11, 2020
They also discussed Conor McGregor being a more family-oriented man now with children and a wife at home, limiting his hunger and motivation as a fighter. Fans would love to see Ferguson and McGregor face each other, which was a rivalry in the making during Conor’s time as the UFC Lightweight Champion and Ferguson as the Interim Champion.
Can Conor McGregor feature on the UFC 300 card?
The UFC 300 card is stacked with elite fighters such as Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, Jiri Prochazka, and many more. Even amidst such a roster, the main event remains to be announced. Many speculated that the UFC’s biggest star, Conor McGregor, returning to the octagon would be featured in it. Also, with USADA out of the picture and no particular test pool period limitations, it can still be a possibility.
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The Irish mixed martial artist recently teased a return to the event on his social media handle. To this, his long-anticipated opponent, Michael Chandler, responded by accepting the proposition. McGregor had initially shared a return for July, and therefore fans are skeptical if the former double champion is serious this time. Also, with so much star power already on the card, it’s more likely for the UFC to use ‘The Notorious’ for another event.