CONOR MCGREGOR SHOULD BE DEFENDING HIS FEATHERWEIGHT BELT AT UFC 200

March 31, 2016

Conor McGregor has some unfinished business at 145 pounds.

With the official announcement of the rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, it’s becoming pretty apparent that what Frankie Edgar has been saying is true. The UFC is catering to Conor McGregor and, as one of the sport’s biggest stars, may be somewhat entitled to such treatment. Nevertheless, one has to wonder if the UFC is taking things a bit too far. Conor McGregor is the UFC featherweight champion, but due to his ambitions to make history has not only yet to defend the belt, but has ventured to win the belt in the lightweight division. That party was spoiled by Nate Diaz who was a live underdog heading into their match up at UFC 196, one of the most successful events in the promotions history. Some may say that last point alone is enough fuel to add to the McGregor fire and reason enough to grant the Irishman the rematch he’s been pining for. There’s only one big problem: Conor McGregor is the featherweight champion and has a list of contenders waiting for a crack at the title. Because McGregor is hungry for revenge and hungry to make history, he’s essentially tying up a division where he more than likely truly belongs and effectively damaging his own legacy by doing so. Say he beats Nate Diaz at UFC 200, what then? Does he choose to drop all the way back down to featherweight and defend his crown against the winner of the Frankie Edgar versus Jose Aldo Interim title fight? Will he challenge lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos once again? Does he think he has the stuff to take on Robbie Lawler? In reality there are so many options for McGregor to explore that it does show you just how talented the young man is. But despite that, he should be perhaps worrying about cleaning out his entire division at featherweight before venturing on to such lofty goals as becoming a three division champion. Diaz proved before that he’s capable of handling McGregor’s power at welterweight, that he has the power to hurt the Irishman, and that he can finish Conor on the ground. It’s an uphill battle for McGregor to climb, which is perhaps why he wants this rematch so badly. McGregor strikes me as the type of person who is constantly looking for a challenge, constantly wanting to prove that he can pull off the impossible. Time will tell what kind of legacy Conor McGregor will leave behind, but if he intends to cement himself as one of the sport’s best then he has to do himself a favor and defend his featherweight belt and do so in dominant champion. Exploring the impossible is one thing, but to proving you’re untouchable in the division which you’re a title holder will give him just as much historical legitimacy as beating Nate Diaz. Do you think Conor McGregor should be defending his featherweight belt at UFC 200? Follow Generation Iron MMA on Facebook and Twitter. Also, be sure to share, like, and comment to show your support.