Opinions are mixed regarding in the Brazilian MMA community
regarding Conor McGregor’s return. | Bellator MMA
Among the most debated topics in the MMA community today is the
return of the biggest star in the history of the sport, Conor
McGregor.
Away from MMA since 2021, when he was injured in a fight with
Dustin
Poirier at UFC 264, McGregor left many people curious last week
when he made an enigmatic post on his X account suggesting that his
opponent at the White House will be an unknown.
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“It´s a no name up next to me possibly, folks. And, as you know
idgaf, I ACCEPT. Send the contract, lads,” he wrote.
Interestingly, Fighting Nerds coach Flavio
Alvaro had said in an exclusive interview with Sherdog days
before that fans could expect a huge fight for Prates.
„Something very, very big is coming for him and it will be
announced soon, unfortunately I’m not yet authorized to say
anything,“ said Alvaro.
Since Spanish journalist Alvaro Colmenero had already reported that
Ian
Garry would be the next to fight for the belt against Islam
Makhachev, the statement further piqued the fans‘
curiosity.
Then Carlos
Prates posted on his X account: „I was told the offer is in
your hands. The fans are waiting, I’m waiting… Are we doing this or
just playing around? Let’s give the fight of the year, sign this
contract, man.“
The post further fueled fans‘ curiosity, and the possibility of
Prates facing McGregor became the subject of several videos
published on major Brazilian channels.
According to journalist Renato Rebello from the Sixth Round
Youtube channel, when McGregor discovered that the
UFC was no longer interested in his fight with Michael
Chandler, he reportedly asked for Dan Ige.
According to one of his reliable sources, the UFC allegedly refused
and offered him an elite welterweight. In the journalist’s opinion,
the chance of McGregor accepting is zero.
Varying Opinions
„First he asked for Chandler, then Ige,” Rebellos said. “After
five years of inactivity, it makes no sense for him to fight
Prates. The best striker in the division above, five years younger,
much bigger, and at his physical and technical peak?
„The reality is that in the new system, the UFC no longer depends
on McGregor and pay-per-view sales. In the past, a pay-per-view
driven by the Irishman made a difference in the company’s cash flow
at the end of the year, but not anymore. Every negotiation is won
by whoever cares less, and in this case, it’s clearly the UFC,
which will have the highest cost in its history putting on this
White House card. If he wants to fight on this card, he will have
to compromise, both on the astronomical purse and the opponent
choice. Since I don’t see Conor’s ego allowing this, I stand by my
prediction. I don’t see Conor returning to fight in the UFC.”
Gilbert
Burns, on the other hand, did a video on his channel saying
that the UFC fight offer made sense.
“There’s no way to fight against the system,” Burns said. “Not
even Conor
McGregor can do it. This passing of the baton is part of the
sport. The UFC likes Prates, he has charisma. I see Prates beating
McGregor and then fighting for the belt in a mega fight.”