Conor McGregor promised the world that his foray into boxing would be a ‘game-changer’ and no one would know what to expect.
And who were we to disagree? His unorthodox style and movement suggested he might trouble Floyd Mayweather. The American had easily handled everything that has ever been thrown at him while the ‘unknown element' to McGregor’s challenge gave the fight some limited credibility. The challenge from McGregor promised so much but in the end delivered little.
The Irishman has followed through on almost everything he has said ever since he did an interview when he was 4-1 when he promised to become the UFC’s Lightweight champion - although we’re still waiting for that stadium fight in Ireland.
He has also earned the right to call his own shots to an extent and the fight with Mayweather was recognition of this by his employers. This is, afterall, the man who has taken short-notice fights throughout his career and saved numerous cards in the UFC - with Max Holloway, Diego Brandao, Chad Mendes and Nate Diaz all gladly accepted as opponents when others pulled out.
Nate Diaz in action against Conor McGregor. Image: ©INPHO/Raymond Spencer
His loyal fanbase have followed him across the Atlantic spending thousands of Euro along the way and, win or lose, they have received their money's worth - except the last time around.
The proof is in the reaction. When the Dubliner lost to Diaz, he was crestfallen. You could see it in his eyes and you could hear it in his voice. He was barely able to speak at the post-fight press conference but he vowed to learn from the experience and right the wrongs of his first UFC defeat.
He started almost immediately. He bravely took on the UFC and questioned the amount of media engagements he had to do in the future. He was pulled from the main slot at the promotion’s marquee UFC 200 event but he still stood his ground.
Others have attempted to gain some leverage with the promotion in the past, Randy Couture for one, but nobody had publicly taken on the biggest promotion in MMA the way he did. He opened the door for fighters to be paid more and some have begrudgingly thanked the Dubliner for this - even though he didn’t do it for them.
Contrast his reaction to the Mayweather defeat. He rolled into the post-fight presser promoting a new brand of “Notorious” whiskey while complementing Mayweather on his win and admitting he had fun in the squared circle.
We were promised the greatest upset in boxing history - we were sold a glorified sparring match.
Some of his fans will point to the fact that the Irishman landed more punches on Mayweather than Manny Pacquiao. In truth, Pacquiao injured a rotator cuff in the fourth round of his 2015 mega-fight with the American while Mayweather’s plan was to let McGregor punch himself out early and walk him down. McGregor was gassed after nine minutes.
Floyd Mayweather lands a punch on Conor McGregor. Picture by: Marcel Thomas/Zuma Press/PA Images
There are rumours circulating that he may engage in another boxing fight with former sparring partner Paulie Malignaggi or take up the option of the rubber match with Diaz. Both options, and any other which isn’t a lightweight title defence against Tony Ferguson, should be abandoned. The third fight with Diaz will happen but now is not the time.
McGregor has been a champion in the UFC since December 2015 and has never defended a title. Ferguson is the rightful challenger in his division and, as the interim lightweright champion, should be next in line to stand across from him.
The American is currently riding a 10 fight win streak and holds notable victories over Rafael Dos Anjos and Edson Barboza. His style will make for a compelling bout with McGregor and even the build-up should be more fun than the choreographed nonsense in the lead-up to the Mayweather fight.
As for his fans, McGregor almost religiously follows golfing legend Arnold Palmer’s mantra - ‘if they take the time to ask you for an autograph, you should take the time to sign'. The Dubliner appears genuinely grateful for the support he receives but should never take it for granted.
However, when it comes to his next fight - it has to be Ferguson. UFC 219 would be the ideal slot with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Edson Barboza already scheduled to clash on the night - so either could step into the main event on a full training camp if necessary.
McGregor fooled us all once - he should not fool his fans again.
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