B
bigjay2007
Rock Star
Silver Level
2 thoughts from me.
1. If John Jones was actually the victim of an improper drug test, he should sue whichever athletics association is responsible of ruining his career and destroying his chance at his biggest payday ever.
2. GSP is the man. He will be back with a vengeance. Johnny "Big Rig" will get another shot at him given the way things went down. Thats how a class act like George operates. You guys remember this post when that happens
1. If John Jones was actually the victim of an improper drug test, he should sue whichever athletics association is responsible of ruining his career and destroying his chance at his biggest payday ever.
2. GSP is the man. He will be back with a vengeance. Johnny "Big Rig" will get another shot at him given the way things went down. Thats how a class act like George operates. You guys remember this post when that happens
Rincewind
Visionary
Silver Level
Jon Jones test was perfectly above board and he was caught bang to rights. Expect his ban to be reduced though as he is co-operating/snitching to the NSAC and USADA.
GSP will be returning to superfights, No. 1 contender fights and title fights. Hendricks will need to start winning fights again if he wants to be even considered as a possible opponent for GSP.
Rincewind
Visionary
Silver Level
Drugs cheat, poor role model, drives under the influence, liar, cheater, waste of god-given natural talent.
Meh, I wont miss him if he never comes back. But he will be back for sure.
OzExorcist
Broomcorn's uncle
Bronze Level
Nah, they were all in Legacy Fighting Championships in the US, events were in Texas and Louisiana. Weight classes in pounds is the norm.
100% he'll be back in the UFC - whether they slap him on the wrist, suspend him for six months or suspend him for the full two years (see below).
He's still only young.
Funny thing, Jon Jones actually was subjected to an "improper" drug test, but it wasn't this one. Remember a while back when he tested positive for cocaine? THAT was a test that should never have happened, because recreational drugs aren't banned out of competition and that was an out of competition test.
USADA and the commission did nothing wrong in this latest case. It's his supplement supplier that he's trying to blame, saying he took something legit that had been contaminated with something banned.
Maybe he's just making up excuses, maybe he's not, but that's a real thing that does happen because the supplements industry is basically the wild west with no real quality control. And there's precedent for fighters who've proved that's how they failed a test being let off relatively light punishments.
For what it's worth I'm inclined to believe Jones on this one. He's an awful, reprehensible human being for the most part but he knew he was going to be tested heavily going into this fight and it'd be nuts for him to risk that big of a payday on a fight that he would've been confident in winning anyway.
OzExorcist
Broomcorn's uncle
Bronze Level
At this point I don't really care who McGregor fights next - his fights have kind of transcended belts and weight classes at this stage. So why not fight Alvarez?
I can absolutely see the reluctance to fight Aldo again, purely on the basis that it'd be impossible to improve on his performance in the previous fight. And Aldo doesn't contribute anything promotionally, it'd be just another McGregor fight.
If I were the UFC, I'd have him fight Alvarez next for the promotional angle of him holding two belts simultaneously. Then work out what to do with McGregor's featherweight belt (I assume he's more likely to vacate it than fight there again)
I can absolutely see the reluctance to fight Aldo again, purely on the basis that it'd be impossible to improve on his performance in the previous fight. And Aldo doesn't contribute anything promotionally, it'd be just another McGregor fight.
If I were the UFC, I'd have him fight Alvarez next for the promotional angle of him holding two belts simultaneously. Then work out what to do with McGregor's featherweight belt (I assume he's more likely to vacate it than fight there again)
Rincewind
Visionary
Silver Level
Victory against Alvarez will cement his legacy as the only fighter to hold two titles concurrently. On the outside chance he is defeated, he will still be making another $10,000,000. It's a no lose situation for him.
He owns the game.
He owns the game.
U
underdog140
Legend
Silver Level
He is smart. Aldo is a dangerous rematch for him to take. With not much to gain and allot to loose.
For me personally I wouldn't consider him winning two belts in two divisions any different than what has been done by B.J. Penn or Randy C. He already had two fights out of the 145lb division and hasn't defended the title yet. In all fairness he should be stripped if he is fighting again outside of "his" weight class for the third time. He should go back down defend and then up to challenge for the 155lb title. Then him holding two belts at the same time will hold more weight.
If he were to drop down and defend the 145lb belt after winning the 155lb belt that would be something different also. But I doubt he would do that. More likely he drops the belt if he wins the 155lb title.
For me personally I wouldn't consider him winning two belts in two divisions any different than what has been done by B.J. Penn or Randy C. He already had two fights out of the 145lb division and hasn't defended the title yet. In all fairness he should be stripped if he is fighting again outside of "his" weight class for the third time. He should go back down defend and then up to challenge for the 155lb title. Then him holding two belts at the same time will hold more weight.
If he were to drop down and defend the 145lb belt after winning the 155lb belt that would be something different also. But I doubt he would do that. More likely he drops the belt if he wins the 155lb title.
Rincewind
Visionary
Silver Level
Holding two titles concurrently would far eclipse what BJ and Randy both did. If we wanna compare Conor to these two its worth remembering that BJ never defended his WW title and Randy never successfully defended the LHW title even though he won it twice. Neither one of the them (Randy or BJ) held two titles at the same time.
For McGregor, to do it would be a historic first, even if he never defends either title.
For McGregor, to do it would be a historic first, even if he never defends either title.
U
underdog140
Legend
Silver Level
I never said they did hold two belts at the same time. That wasn't the point I was making. Conor somehow winning the 155lb title in his next fight wouldn't seem like a guy that is holding two belts. It would seem like a guy that has moved on from his division. Because it will be his third consecutive fight out of that division. UFC even had to make an interim champion. Conor should be defending his belt for his next fight or drop it and move on at this point. Go up and challenge for the 155lb title after defending his own 145lb title.
If he drops down and defends the 145lb belt directly after winning the 155lb title then my opinion will change. Although I will still not agree with him having three fights out of his division and getting to keep the belt.
OzExorcist
Broomcorn's uncle
Bronze Level
It's a tough one though - yes he's taken fights outside the division, but it's still only nine months since he won the belt in the first place. Previous champions have been inactive a lot longer than that and gotten to keep their belts. If he was out injured then I don't think we'd even have an interim featherweight title right now, it'd be way too soon.
Obviously the fact that he's active and choosing not to fight at featherweight right now changes things, but there's really no precedent for how that should change things.
Obviously the fact that he's active and choosing not to fight at featherweight right now changes things, but there's really no precedent for how that should change things.
U
underdog140
Legend
Silver Level
You hit the nail on the head with him being active. With an Injury you are forced to sit out.
He probably doesn't want to miss out on the chance to become one of the few that have won belts in two divisions. A loss at 145lbs takes away his gntd. title shot at 155lbs. So it's hard to blame him for going that route. But I stick by what I said earlier. To me it just seems like a guy that has moved on from his division and no longer wants to fight at 145lbs. .
If he loses at 155lbs then he lost 2/3 of his last fights but still gets to call himself champion. If he wins he is a two division champion. He is a smart man.
He probably doesn't want to miss out on the chance to become one of the few that have won belts in two divisions. A loss at 145lbs takes away his gntd. title shot at 155lbs. So it's hard to blame him for going that route. But I stick by what I said earlier. To me it just seems like a guy that has moved on from his division and no longer wants to fight at 145lbs. .
If he loses at 155lbs then he lost 2/3 of his last fights but still gets to call himself champion. If he wins he is a two division champion. He is a smart man.
Rincewind
Visionary
Silver Level
I know you didn't. I was making the point that when McGregor wins the LW title his achievement will make theirs pale by comparison.
People tend to look back with rose-tinted glasses in instances like this.
U
underdog140
Legend
Silver Level
I understand your point but I disagree due to reasons I already pointed out. Three consecutive fights out of your division while there is an interim champion and challengers waiting ? Anyone else would have been made to drop the belt or defend.
He is smart and is doing what is best for him. But him holding two belts at the same time isn't true if he moved on from his division three fights prior. It's just smoke and mirrors. You can't be champion of a division if you don't fight in it.
Rincewind
Visionary
Silver Level
Ok but how does that make his (potential) achievement less imoressive than what BJ or Randy did.
To my mind when all three are compared side by side, Conors achievement will be far more impressive. Both of them failed to defend one of their titles.
WVHillbilly
Legend
Silver Level
Conor hasn't defend any title yet either and I honestly doubt he ever even attempts to defend the 145 belt.
Rincewind
Visionary
Silver Level
Yes I know that and you are probably right that he will never defend the 145 title.
But what I'm saying is that for him to hold both (LW & FW) at once will be a far greater achievement than BJ Penn or Cotoure because both of them failed to successfully defend one of the two titles they held and neither of them held titles concurrently as Conor probably will.
WVHillbilly
Legend
Silver Level
I get what you're saying but to my mind if Conor never tries to defend the 145 title then he really won't be holding both at the same time. I do believe he'll end up fighting at 155 (likely as Champ if they give him Alverez).
Rincewind
Visionary
Silver Level
History will record the fact that he was the first to do it though. BJ never even attempted to defend the WW title either but people still give him credit as having held two titles.
OzExorcist
Broomcorn's uncle
Bronze Level
If we're comparing McGregor and Penn and how their legacies will (potentially) stack up, then IMO it doesn't matter whether or not McGregor wins the 155 belt or even ever defends the 145 belt. What's most important is that he doesn't take a steaming dump on his legacy by embarassing himself in fights well beyond his use-by date...
U
underdog140
Legend
Silver Level
I never said it was less impressive. It would be equal to. Like I said smoke and mirrors. You can't be a champion in a weight class you don't fight in.
If he drops back down before or directly after winning the 155lb title then I will agree with the statement .... he held / holds two belts at the same time and yes that would be something that wasn't done before. If he doesn't do either of those things, he is a former 145lb champion contending for the 155lb belt.
As for B.J. not defending the WW title. He never had the chance to defend since he was no longer apart of the roster. He went 3-1 outside the UFC with the one loss being to Machida. I think K1 offered him more money so he left the UFC.
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