Did Dana/Lorenzo make a big mistake for removing Conor from UFC 200?

[wtkace**]

Let’s discuss about the rise of Conor. He is a great fighter who riding on a 6 wins streak before capturing the Featherweight title from the hand of Aldo in just 13 sec. He did talk a lot to earn his way to the mainstream in this business, which had allowing him to earn 1M fight in UFC 196. However, question arise where: is it his fighting skill or talking/taunt skill that contribute the most in making him the biggest star in UFC right now?

From Dana POV, he is the president of UFC, he need to protect his own star while taking care of the rest of the rosters. We did saw some other fighters like Rory, JBJ stand by Conor side in this case. But what will happen if Dana still allow Conor to fight at UFC 200 despite Conor absence during the promotion period? I’m sure 80% of the roster will rise up to fight again this decision, which is a dangerous situation as Bellator is coming up to look for talent from UFC.

Yes, Conor is angry for sure. He might left, but it will be better compare to the situation where most of the fighters riot for not fighting with payout less than 200k. So I would say: Dana make an excellent choice in this case.

A lot of ppl criticized on this decision where they felt that Conor should be treated special due to his contribution towards the popularity of UFC. Well, I guess it’s safe to say that most of the ppl who know about Conor is because of his trash talk of other fighters, not because of his fighting skill. My question is: Is that a smart move for continue pushing Conor as the as the main star in UFC?

Let me tell a story of certain company : Back in old days, wrestling used to be legit and real in that company. But fans prefer fun & entertainment, so a lot of funny things come out. Today, this company has risen to become one of the biggest sport entertainment shows ever, however wrestling is no longer real.

I would say this: Continue pushing Conor type of fighter ( Talk crap, with good but not great fighting skill) might really lead UFC to a better future, which it will end up like WWE.

 

[1Shot1Stroke]

 

[JeffertonAlive]

Yes...yes he did.

 

[zerofux]

Dana is the mouth of the UFC, not the brain of the UFC. He didn't remove Conor from UFC 200. He's just trying to sell the public on why they absolutely had to do it, you know, to be fair to all the fighters, because that's priority #1 at the UFC.

 

[gimp0]

You can call it what you want... he lost a lot of money.

 

[skysolo]

Let’s discuss about the rise of Conor. He is a great fighter who riding on a 6 wins streak before capturing the Featherweight title from the hand of Aldo in just 13 sec. He did talk a lot to earn his way to the mainstream in this business, which had allowing him to earn 1M fight in UFC 196. However, question arise where: is it his fighting skill or talking/taunt skill that contribute the most in making him the biggest star in UFC right now?

From Dana POV, he is the president of UFC, he need to protect his own star while taking care of the rest of the rosters. We did saw some other fighters like Rory, JBJ stand by Conor side in this case. But what will happen if Dana still allow Conor to fight at UFC 200 despite Conor absence during the promotion period? I’m sure 80% of the roster will rise up to fight again this decision, which is a dangerous situation as Bellator is coming up to look for talent from UFC.

Yes, Conor is angry for sure. He might left, but it will be better compare to the situation where most of the fighters riot for not fighting with payout less than 200k. So I would say: Dana make an excellent choice in this case.

A lot of ppl criticized on this decision where they felt that Conor should be treated special due to his contribution towards the popularity of UFC. Well, I guess it’s safe to say that most of the ppl who know about Conor is because of his trash talk of other fighters, not because of his fighting skill. My question is: Is that a smart move for continue pushing Conor as the as the main star in UFC?

Let me tell a story of certain company : Back in old days, wrestling used to be legit and real in that company. But fans prefer fun & entertainment, so a lot of funny things come out. Today, this company has risen to become one of the biggest sport entertainment shows ever, however wrestling is no longer real.

I would say this: Continue pushing Conor type of fighter ( Talk crap, with good but not great fighting skill) might really lead UFC to a better future, which it will end up like WWE.

You are behind. It has been reported that Lorenzo removed him. Get your story straight.

 

[basementdweller]

I'm not reading your thread because you didn't even know it was Lorenzo Fertitta who removed McGregor and not DW. You should get your facts straight before the tl;drs imo

 

[skysolo]

TS believes

 

[KingDeeyo]

It's about time he really got put in his place, as if Nate Diaz didn't do a good enough job. I'm a fan of Conor's fighting and his antics, but his ego was getting out of hand.

 

[Ajidar]

If Cormier Jones can be arranged for UFC 200, it will be a bigger event then watching Mcgregor get beaten again by Diaz.

 

[Watermelonfresh]

Let’s discuss about the rise of Conor. He is a great fighter who riding on a 6 wins streak before capturing the Featherweight title from the hand of Aldo in just 13 sec. He did talk a lot to earn his way to the mainstream in this business, which had allowing him to earn 1M fight in UFC 196. However, question arise where: is it his fighting skill or talking/taunt skill that contribute the most in making him the biggest star in UFC right now?

From Dana POV, he is the president of UFC, he need to protect his own star while taking care of the rest of the rosters. We did saw some other fighters like Rory, JBJ stand by Conor side in this case. But what will happen if Dana still allow Conor to fight at UFC 200 despite Conor absence during the promotion period? I’m sure 80% of the roster will rise up to fight again this decision, which is a dangerous situation as Bellator is coming up to look for talent from UFC.

Yes, Conor is angry for sure. He might left, but it will be better compare to the situation where most of the fighters riot for not fighting with payout less than 200k. So I would say: Dana make an excellent choice in this case.

A lot of ppl criticized on this decision where they felt that Conor should be treated special due to his contribution towards the popularity of UFC. Well, I guess it’s safe to say that most of the ppl who know about Conor is because of his trash talk of other fighters, not because of his fighting skill. My question is: Is that a smart move for continue pushing Conor as the as the main star in UFC?

Let me tell a story of certain company : Back in old days, wrestling used to be legit and real in that company. But fans prefer fun & entertainment, so a lot of funny things come out. Today, this company has risen to become one of the biggest sport entertainment shows ever, however wrestling is no longer real.

I would say this: Continue pushing Conor type of fighter ( Talk crap, with good but not great fighting skill) might really lead UFC to a better future, which it will end up like WWE.

I don't think Dana made the call on this, although I'm sure Dana had influence and was supportive of Lorenzo's decision. Seemed to me that Conor agreed to tour on fight contract and decided close to the week of event he didn't want to go. there have been rumors or tension between mcgregor and Zuffa for a while now, I think that factored in. subtle comments by Conor and some not so subtle that seemed to be pointed towards ufc and the tone was pretty aggressive. Lorenzo also slammed his belt down or whatever happen after aldo ko, so things may have been sour? back to your point, Zuffa cares about image with not being bullied and Conor refusing to attend I think sparked emotions on personal side and also was alarming to them and they didn't want to look weak to a fighter and media could pile on and be critical of them. I hate to admit it but I side with Zuffa here, it would have looked awful for one guy not to show up, regardless of drawing power

 

[basedworld]

Not a mistake at all

Conor has a contract and ufc can't bend over for a slightly larger pay day while looking weak especially if they plan to sell

 

[FrankieNYC]

No, because Dana did not do it.
Lorenzo did

Plus they will still get a Conor fight & make millions off him at 201/202.

 

[wtkace**]

I'm not reading your thread because you didn't even know it was Lorenzo Fertitta who removed McGregor and not DW. You should get your facts straight before the tl;drs imo

Done, thanks for advice.

 

[Irishwhiskey119]

200 is still great. I feel sorry for you weak minded low class losers that need big stars to enjoy a fight.

Star fuckers.

 

[papajohns]

Yeah they did. Right now if Conor says ok I still want to fight at 200 you make it happen. Hell do it against someone at FW doesn't even have to be the Nate rematch. Give him Aldo and have Frankie fight Halloway.Having Conor on the card probably makes the company a lot more money then not having him on.

 

[Sporeborn]

Nope. You dudes need to read up on some economics and/or business fundamentals. This whole McGregor situation is completely irrelevant to the business that is the UFC. Stars come and go, round and round. Would you have ever expected a guy like McGregor to come around before a guy like McGregor actually came around? Of course not. This sport is so volatile and expectations are for the unlearned. Who knows who or what will pop up next. You can't bank on one dude to carry a business. The UFC doesn't and that's why they've made it this far.

 

[Venom]

Look I don't even want to see a Nate Conor rematch yet---I want to see him defend his frigging belt. Whatever you may think of the promotion's general treatment of its fighters, it's no skin off my nose seeing them cut a fighter for blatantly refusing to do promotion on their terms for another exhibition match.
I see it pragmatically as a good thing overall.
Everyone expected Conor to drop back down and defend the 145, but he came up with an idea and the UFC didn't deny him the opportunity, much to the dismay of thousands. But I personally was content. I was ready to wait it out until sometime in the late summer for a title defense against Edgar. Now that Conor was cut for protesting the terms of this stupid rematch, I can't say I feel bad for him. There has to be some balance there.

 

[Deleted member 359865]

Why do people speak about the UFC as if they're going to fold at any moment if Conor McGregor doesn't perform well? Good lord, no one speaks about any other sports organization like this when their big stars retire or a get injured in their prime.

 

[BigDaddyBach]

Don't know if the fight will be off; Kav said Conor is training 2 times a day and planning for 200. It turned from a rematch that was loathed by the self proclaimed "harcore fans" into the most desired rematch in the history of combat sports, extending all the way to non MMA fans, mainstream culture and ''casuals''. Conor has a ego. UFC has a bigger ego. However, they both love money and are smart. If they don't make the match now, it could likely be off the table forever and we know this to be true from boxing and previous MMA bouts.

Even if the UFC lost 10 million in allocated archaic promo money, they would be losing 100 million atleast from pulling Conor. Conor Diaz rematch would exceed the previous PPV benchmark set by 196/100 of 1.5 mil. I can't see Lorenzo scrapping a possible 2 million ppv card for one that would max out near 800k with Jones DC (and that may be generous considering the Jones we saw yesterday).

If they do force Conor off 200 & off MSG and make him defend at 145 (while he has been moving up 170), it would be an unprecedentedly stupid and spiteful move. Something tells me Conor wont be eager to move to 145 in August while he is prepping for 70, showing at 200 and obsessed with revenge. Another win against Aldo or Frankie does not remove the Diaz stain. On top of Conor leaving, you would lose the sports second biggest current star in Diaz. That would be undoubtedly the stupidest, most cutting off nose to spite face move, in the history of sports if not the history of business. In the long run, they would be throwing away billions of dollars of revenue to make a point that 'my dick is bigger than yours'. You don't become a billionaire with thinking like that.