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| source// ufc |
After months of speculation regarding UFC’s upcoming historic card, the show is finally starting to come together. The mixed martial arts community has been overrun with conjecture from pundits, fighters and fans regarding what bouts would take place at the landmark show, and on March 30th those questions began being answered thanks to the announcement of several confirmed fights.
Main eventing the milestone event will be the rematch between Conor McGregor (19-3) and Nate Diaz (19-10), which will once again take place in the welterweight division. The fight will go down around four months after their UFC 196 showdown which saw the two square off on short notice after 155 pound champion Rafael Dos Anjos was forced to withdraw from his title defense against McGregor due to injury. Diaz went on to finish Conor in convincing fashion, submitting the current featherweight titlist in the second round.
The news of the rematch is surprising considering there are several opponents for “Notorious” who make more sense from a career standpoint. Another loss to Diaz will severely damage the drawing power of the man who has become the UFC’s most popular male star, and unless there are some drastic changes made there’s no reason to expect the outcome to be any different at UFC 200.
Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and even McGregor’s coach, John Kavanaugh attempted to talk the overly confident Irish fighter out of taking the rematch so soon, but in the end Conor’s will won out over that of his employer. The UFC president had this to say:
“He was obsessed. Obsessed with fighting Nate Diaz again. Obviously Lorenzo and I tried to argue with him and said ‘Let’s go back to 145 and defend your title. Or if you really want the Diaz fight that bad do it at 155.’ He wants the fight at 170.”
So where does that leave the featherweight championship?
Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar – Interim Featherweight Championship
Since McGregor won the 145 pound title with a 13-second knockout over Jose Aldo in December 2015, both the former champion and top contender Frankie Edgar have been clamoring for a chance to step inside the octagon with the outspoken warrior. Both men have been vocal in their displeasure at being overlooked for the fight and are resentful that their division’s belt is being help up while Conor foregoes defending it to chase redemption.
Now, rather than wait around for the fateful matchmaking of the UFC to determine which man will get the opportunity to challenge for the title when – and if – McGregor returns to the featherweight ranks, the two will face off in the cage in a skirmish that will decide an interim champion.
Having the 145 pound title be held up to the point that it requires an interim belt when the actual champ is not out with an injury but rather fighting on the same card is already drawing heavy criticism from those in and outside of the UFC, but at this point the promotion is focusing strictly on the dollar signs behind the decision.
Dana White has guaranteed that whoever wins the clash between Edgar (20-4-1) and Aldo (25-2) – a rematch of a fight that took place in 2013 which Aldo won via unanimous decision – will finally get to face McGregor to decide the rightful featherweight kingpin:
“Win, lose or draw in this fight against Nate Diaz (McGregor) will go in and fight either Jose or Frankie.”
Hopefully this holds true, since it’s already been proven that Conor is basically writing his own ticket at this point.
What else does UFC 200 have in store?
The Rest Of The Card So Far
Out of the remaining announced match-ups, undoubtedly the most high profile is the heavyweight rumble between a returning Cain Velasquez, the often-injured former champion and heavy handed contender Travis Browne. Mr. Ronda Rousey presents a tough challenge for the fragile American Kickboxing Academy standout, and this fight will go a long way in determining if Velasquez is ready for another shot at the title or if his body is no longer able to withstand the rigors of the sport.
Diego Sanchez, hot off the heels of a return to the lightweight ranks and a unanimous decision win over Jim Miller, will also be in action against the always game Joe Lauzon. The 26-8 former top contender is looking to climb the ladder again and work his way to a title shot, and the 25-11 “Human Bonus Machine” stands in his way. Both guys are known for bringing it every time they step in the octagon.
The aforementioned Jim Miller will jump back in the fray against Japanese star Takanori Gomi, Gegard Mousasi squares off against Derek Brunson and ex=welterweight champ Johny Hendricks tries to halt his career descent when he locks horns with another slumping fighter, former Ultimate Fighter winner Kelvin Gastelum.
Outside of McGregor/Diaz and Aldo/Edgar – and to a much lesser extent Velazsquez/Browne – this card thus far lacks the type of star power you’d expect for such a pivotal UFC event. Hopefully we’ll see some more announcements made soon, preferably one involving 170 pound champion Robbie Lawler.
What do you think of the UFC 200 lineup so far? Drop your thoughts in the comments.
