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So, just wanted to get some of my thoughts out here about the whole "why hasn't Conor defended any belts" shtick that gets thrown out by Conor haters.
First of all, I think it's fair to say that if Conor ended up fighting and beating RDA, he would be defending both of his belts right now. The "Diaz Detour" completely sent Conor on a different fighting path then the one that was going to happen if he fought RDA. If he lost, then he would fight the winner of Aldo or Edgar. If he won, he would have defended one of the belts at UFC 200. Most likely against Frankie Edgar or Nate Diaz.
Back to the "Diaz Detour" thing, now, obviously losing to Nate that first time did a bad thing to Conor's career. No lightweight title shot in sight and he had to go defend a belt in a weight class he didn't want to compete in for too much longer humiliated and shamed. So a rematch HAD to happen! Conor needed it to repair his stock. Otherwise, even if he went on a big winning steak, there would always be that black cloud hanging over him.
Then we have UFC 205 and the lightweight title shot. AKA he finally gets sort of back on track and it's almost like those two previous Nate fights didn't happen and we're just getting done with 194. Makes sense for Conor, make history and become double champ or fight a guy you already defeated in 13 seconds?
Side note: Conor said that if Frankie had beaten Aldo, he would have fought him instead of Eddie. He also suggested that he would have fought Max if the UFC asked him to during that in between 205/Mayweather time.
Now we enter a brief period of uncertainty, with no clear number 1 contenders at Lightweight. And there's that big money fight with Floyd already looming close. Sure, I admit that this is the least excusable time frame for Conor not defending a belt, but an opportunity at Floyd is fucking huge! Not many would pass up that chance.
Just as some final thoughts, I think there's a very strong chance we see him defend against Tony early next year. Conor is NO coward, and is certainly not afraid of Ferguson, but he IS a good businessman. Any stalling for this fight is going to come from negotiations between the UFC and Conor.
First of all, I think it's fair to say that if Conor ended up fighting and beating RDA, he would be defending both of his belts right now. The "Diaz Detour" completely sent Conor on a different fighting path then the one that was going to happen if he fought RDA. If he lost, then he would fight the winner of Aldo or Edgar. If he won, he would have defended one of the belts at UFC 200. Most likely against Frankie Edgar or Nate Diaz.
Back to the "Diaz Detour" thing, now, obviously losing to Nate that first time did a bad thing to Conor's career. No lightweight title shot in sight and he had to go defend a belt in a weight class he didn't want to compete in for too much longer humiliated and shamed. So a rematch HAD to happen! Conor needed it to repair his stock. Otherwise, even if he went on a big winning steak, there would always be that black cloud hanging over him.
Then we have UFC 205 and the lightweight title shot. AKA he finally gets sort of back on track and it's almost like those two previous Nate fights didn't happen and we're just getting done with 194. Makes sense for Conor, make history and become double champ or fight a guy you already defeated in 13 seconds?
Side note: Conor said that if Frankie had beaten Aldo, he would have fought him instead of Eddie. He also suggested that he would have fought Max if the UFC asked him to during that in between 205/Mayweather time.
Now we enter a brief period of uncertainty, with no clear number 1 contenders at Lightweight. And there's that big money fight with Floyd already looming close. Sure, I admit that this is the least excusable time frame for Conor not defending a belt, but an opportunity at Floyd is fucking huge! Not many would pass up that chance.
Just as some final thoughts, I think there's a very strong chance we see him defend against Tony early next year. Conor is NO coward, and is certainly not afraid of Ferguson, but he IS a good businessman. Any stalling for this fight is going to come from negotiations between the UFC and Conor.