Postal Connections: Conor McGregor vs. the UFC

As I write this, things are still in limbo for Conor McGregor and his appearance at UFC 200 in July. It has been a crazy couple of days, with the promotion announcing it had pulled him after his cryptic tweet and McGregor firing back with his statement. So what do we know now, who’s at fault and how will this play out in the end? You all had plenty of questions. Away we go.I think Conor has earned some down time. I mean, he has more people talking about UFC 200 now, and Jon Jones fights in three days‬ — @FightChixJake I wholeheartedly agree, Jake. He did more to promote his UFC 200 bout with this stunt and the ensuing media/social media s— storm that followed for the next 36 hours. If you even remotely follow sports, not MMA but mainstream sports, you know what is going on with McGregor. I was playing hockey yesterday afternoon, and there are a few guys in our group who follow MMA in a cursory fashion. Before I even sat down in the locker room, the discussion was on. Everyone had heard about the “retirement” tweet and wanted to know what was up. McGregor is a true crossover star because of how hard he worked on the promotional side. There are a slew of fighters who are much better than him in the cage, but they don’t have millions of people on the edge of their seats every time they pick up a microphone. He has done a brilliant job of putting himself in this position; it’s time for him to call in that marker and get a break from the extra travel to prepare for his fight. McGregor is coming off a loss to Nate Diaz, and another one could tarnish his brand a bit. I fully understand why he is hesitant to jump back on the stage and dance for the masses. This one is for him, and he has earned it.*** The problem is Conor didn’t want to promote. That’s it, plain and simple. If you don’t promote, you don’t fight‬. — @KB_NYK I’m sorry, but I’d vehemently disagree with your assessment. The guy has done more promotion for the UFC, its other fighters, the media outlets that cover the sport, the agencies that represent the fighters and all the other organizations that promote fights than anyone in the history of the sport, save perhaps Ronda Rousey. He has headlined the three biggest earning (gate) United States events, brings half a nation (or so it seems) across the pond when he fights, has become a national and international icon in just about three …

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