Published 23:56 IST, August 5th 2023
Why UFC hasn't been able to build another Conor McGregor?
It's been over a decade but Conor McGregor is still UFC's biggest name. We are curious to know why, hence took the inputs of a foremost MMA expert.
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Not too long ago, a fighter from Ireland started to get attention from the UFC fans and he eventually went on to change the course of the game forever. You guessed it right, it is Conor McGregor. But since the 'Notorious' is seemingly past his prime there is a need that UFC may soon encounter a complication, and it happens in every sector of the sporting world.
In WWE, it is said that John Cena passed the torch to Roman Reigns, and in NBA there came the era of LeBron James after Michael Jordan. Moreover, Indian sports enthusiasts often relate when the debate between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli erupts. Similarly, UFC is at a similar stage where the most famous fighter may need an heir. But there is no way to look as UFC hasn't been able to build another Conor McGregor.
3 things you need to know
- Conor McGregor made his UFC debut in 2013
- The Irishman became the first fighter to hold two titles simultaneously
- Conor McGregor is expected to mark his UFC return soon
Also Read | Want to become UFC fighter from India? Here's Anshul Jubli's roadmap to fulfill MMA dream
Why UFC hasn't been able to build another Conor McGregor?
In our quest to know why, republicworld.com caught up with Sony Sports' MMA expert Arjun Chipalkatti. We raised the query to him and found out that to build an asset like Conor McGregor there will take a considerable time. Moreover, there are some fighters in the roster who could come in the same light but there will always be one Mystic Mac.
The UFC is trying to build a Conor McGregor. Let me rephrase that; UFC is trying to build a fighter that is going to be the most marketable, most successful. But you cannot re-write a plan for like Conor McGregor. Conor McGregor is a once-a-generation fighter and he has changed the sport forever. He’s changed the way people make money, he changed the way people market themselves, changed the way people fought. The press conferences have started to get more interesting. He brought in a lot of new fans into the sport. So, to build another Conor McGregor, when you really can’t build him by that formula, but the UFC is constantly looking at newer and newer contenders, guys like Sean O’Malley, fantastic! Has all the potential, can speak well, and can fight. He is tough, he is marketable, so the UFC has always been in the works. Also, one has to remember that it takes time to build, to build a champion, to build a marketable fighter. So, they are working hard on it, I am sure there will be lots of Conor MacGregors. There can only be one Conor McGregor but there will be a lot of marketable fighters.
So, what do you think, while we believe there is so much more we are yet to witness from Conor McGregor, who is taking his shoes once he calls it a career? Let us know in the comments.
*Sony Sports network is the official partner of UFC in India
23:56 IST, August 5th 2023