The Savage Truth: Comeuppance, Part 2

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I thought I was going to be eating a healthy portion of crow after going on record stating that Conor McGregor would never fight at featherweight again once it was announced he was making the jump to 170 pounds to face Nate Diaz. Now it seems I may have been right after all, despite the fact that just about everyone expected him to defend his featherweight title after getting humbled by Diaz in the UFC 196 main event on March 5.

While it makes about zero long-term sense to toss McGregor back in with The 209’s Finest, I can understand why the Irishman and the Ultimate Fighting Championship would be willing, even eager, to rebook the fight that knocked the Golden Child off his lofty perch -- about 1.5 million reasons to be exact, the estimated number of pay-per-view buys UFC 196 did. The $8.1 million gate wasn’t too shabby, either.

However, it’s about time to strip McGregor of his featherweight title and let Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar rematch for the strap, preferably on the same UFC 200 card McGregor and Diaz are expected to headline. McGregor could make the mighty cut again if he wanted to grant Aldo a rematch or Edgar his first crack, but he doesn’t seem eager to make the move back down. Who can blame him? That’s a lot of weight to cut, but if he wants to wear UFC gold, it’s probably his best bet. We found out, or at least we think we did, that his power doesn’t translate to welterweight. Lightweight, the deepest division in the sport, is stocked full of powerhouse wrestlers and prodigious athletes.

The path to a second title is littered with any number of obstacles, and it appears highly unlikely to come to fruition. Still, I get the reasoning behind McGregor’s seemingly impulsive desire for a rematch. A man who was admittedly partying in Mexico when he received the call to step in on late notice humbled him and ended his fairytale UFC run. With that said, I would have hoped McGregor would have done the fight at 155 pounds. That’s probably the sweet-spot division for him, and if he wants to take a run at another belt, it’s the only one that makes sense. Welterweight wasn’t kind to him and I don’t see it ever being a place where he can thrive unless he really bulks up, and that won’t happen by July.

As for the UFC, I’m guessing the company understands that McGregor is a bit of a phenomenon at this point. He’s captured the imagination of fans, both hardcore and casual, and they will likely tune in to watch him fight as long as he keeps them enthralled with his best weapon: his mouth. Another loss wouldn’t be a fatal blow, but it might hobble him a bit as fans consider whether he is all he has been billed to be.

I’m of the opinion that McGregor will be able to sell fights for the foreseeable future, no matter the outcome of this next bout. He has connected with fans here in the United States, and we all know how popular he has made MMA in Ireland. He is an animal like no other we’ve seen in our sport, including Ronda Rousey, who has done some amazing things herself.

The big winner in all of this is Diaz. I expect him to get the job done once again and see his ascending star rise even more in the aftermath. He and brother Nick Diaz are the anti-heroes of MMA and this pair of fights, both likely wins, will do nothing but help them expand their cult followings.

McGregor has said all along that he’s making peoples’ dreams come true; he may actually be making UFC President Dana White and the Zuffa brass’ nightmares come to fruition. I’m only half joking when I say this, but if you thought negotiating with the Diaz brothers was tough before, I can’t imagine what it will be like after another win over McGregor. Honestly, I’m sure the UFC will be just fine with another star fighter to promote. The Diazes may not be the easiest people to deal with at times, but neither is McGregor if you believe some of things that have been reported or overheard from people close to the promotion.

The one thing the Diazes do is show up to fight. There might be quite a bit of drama surrounding them, but when the lights come on, they’re ready to bang. There’s a reason Nick got a fight with Georges St. Pierre for the welterweight title coming off a loss. It’s the same reason Nate got the call when lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos couldn’t go at UFC 196. They put butts in the seats and move the needle in the press. Those still questioning this need to get their heads checked.

I have to say, I was hoping to see McGregor give Edgar his crack at the belt. With that option off the table, I’m pretty excited to see the Diaz rematch. I was calling for this fight the second after Diaz bested Michael Johnson in December and was stoked to see him step in on short notice at UFC 196. I’ll be even more amped to see these guys get after each other with full camps dedicated to a known opponent.

McGregor took his loss to Diaz like a professional. I’m wondering how he and his legion of fans are going to deal with this one.

Sherdog.com Executive Editor Greg Savage can be reached by email or via Twitter @TheSavageTruth.