The race to headline UFC 205
The UFC's long-awaited debut in New York is less than eight weeks away, however the state of the historic card remains very much unsettled.
Question have persisted for weeks about who will headline UFC 205, with reigning UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez calling out featherweight champion Conor McGregor for a champion vs. champion superfight that would undoubtedly do big business at the box office. But in order to get that deal done, UFC president Dana White has claimed that McGregor would be required to forfeit his featherweight strap -- a proposition that McGregor has repeatedly and publicly rebuffed.
With the clock ticking on Nov. 12, those negotiations appeared to go public late Tuesday night, beginning with a pair of tweets by Alvarez attempting to coax McGregor into a match.
Let's do this @TheNotoriousMMA I'm ready !! Your futures not bright enjoy this one while it last . #ItsAllOver
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) September 21, 2016
The illusion of Greatness will soon be Over. It's time for Truth ! GN guys I have an early morning #ufc205 #eafight #thnq #phillyfighter
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) September 21, 2016
Alvarez's latest callout was quickly answered by McGregor's head coach at SBG Ireland, John Kavanagh.
I don't sleep. I wait.
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) September 21, 2016
But then things got complicated as No. 1 ranked lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov chimed in, calling both Alvarez and McGregor "chicken" and indicating that Alvarez didn't have "much time left" to make his decision.
Everyone know who is the real Eagle you're both bunch of chicken your daddy @danawhite protect you One of you going to be my food soon https://t.co/ZPvICQWGi4
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 21, 2016
Hey @Ealvarezfight checkmate you don't have much time let's do this @ufc
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 21, 2016
Minutes later, White fueled speculation by tweeting to a fan that Alvarez is actually expected to fight Nurmagomedov at UFC 205, rather than McGregor. Not surprisingly, Nurmagomedov quickly jumped onboard.
@kylemuir17 @TheNotoriousMMA @Ealvarezfight not true it's @TeamKhabib
— Dana White (@danawhite) September 21, 2016
Me and Dana just waiting for Eddie to sign. I promise I will finish you fast and with no pain. https://t.co/4Zv9j8xejZ
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 21, 2016
I hag a very generous birthday gift today. Thanks @danawhite @ufc #ufclightweightchamp2016 #inshaAllah
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 21, 2016
As of Wednesday morning, nothing has been signed and UFC 205 remains without a main event, sources close to the situation told MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani.
So if nothing else, the flurry of late-night tweets appear to have been another example of public negotiation and gamesmanship from all parties involved. And the king of gamesmanship, McGregor, only further fueled the flames of speculation with this ominous tweet on Wednesday morning.
Beg me
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 21, 2016
MMA Fighting will continue to update this post as the situation develops, so keep checking back as the race to headline NYC heats up.