Conor reality it’s time to accept; what’s next as ‘new face of UFC’, Aussie make statements: Talking Pts

‘TOO SMALL?’: Whittaker fires back at critics in ‘life-changing’ move

Which is why as he emerged through the smoke — and with rival Max Holloway waiting patiently in the Octagon — it would be not only to a crowd that had shelled out a UFC record $26 million, but where the ringside seats were filled by the likes of Mike Tyson, Vince Vaughn and Anthony Kiedis, to Theo Von, Tucker Carlson, even Australia’s Mel Gibson.

Yet after just 69 seconds — gasp — it was over.

With McGregor left sprawled on the Octagon canvas, clutching at a right knee which had just said ‘f*** no’ to its owner’s idea of opening proceedings with a leaping switch kick.

Which didn’t exactly make Holloway victorious.

No, that honour belonged, effectively, to Father Time.

Who today, and not for the first time, wakes as the only undeniable constant among a swirl of questions…

1. How badly is Conor McGregor done?

Well, his body is certainly gone.

Although please don’t mistake this for saying the Irish megastar is done fighting. For that’s a different conversation, entirely.

And one almost certain to continue given those rivers of cash that can still be made by pitching McGregor into Floyd Mayweather, Jake Paul, Nate Diaz … even a potted plant were he or she promoted right.

But the Conor McGregor who blew up the world, and our lives, in 2015 … clearly, that fella is done.

And it now appears, has been for some time.

Put simply, it appears McGregor’s body can no longer tolerate elite competition.

Remembering that this latest debacle comes off the back of a busted toe thwarting his previous return against Michael Chandler, and after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier, which also followed losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov on a broken foot.

You could argue that just like a child’s favoured teddy bear, fight fans have clung to McGregor as he faded, lost a leg, then maybe an eye, or an ear, then started to develop a tang. And now, finally, mum is saying, sorry, but it’s time for Cuddles to go.

So while Holloway, understandably, is already calling for a trilogy — especially given the red panty night payment he got for this one — will fans really be amped enough to buy back in?

Sure, we will all be willing to watch McGregor again.

But it’s hard to imagine many carrying the same against-the-odds belief in Mystic Mac as he walked out through the smoke Sunday.

2. Do we go straight into McGregor versus Mayweather II?

Possibly.

Although expect to be waiting weeks, and even months, before real detail emerges about exactly how McGregor’s fighting future will look based heavily on what exactly happened to his knee, Sunday.

Given the Irishman still has one fight left on his UFC contract, there is definitely a chance both parties agree that, for all manner of reasons, the best way forward is through White’s new Zuffa Boxing franchise.

With the most obvious play being a repeat of that $400M Mayweather circus.

Indeed, only days before the Holloway bout, McGregor teased the idea of rematching ‘Money’, who it should be noted has been facing his own highly-publicised financial battles recently, and with White suggesting “maybe we could figure it out for him”.

Maybe they do.

3. How big was Paddy Pimblett’s win on Sunday?

Um, how long have you got?

Only six months after being declared deader than disco, Pimblett is now declaring himself the new face of the UFC — and at the same time as the old one limps off.

Despite getting bashed up by Justin Gaethje in January, Paddy the Baddy has suddenly re-emerged as the sport’s newest poster boy after stealing UFC 329 with a performance starting with that most electric of walkouts, and then finishing in those 52 seconds required to choke Benoit St Denis unconscious.

With Gaethje also having upset Ilia Topuria for UFC lightweight gold recently, and on no less than the White House lawn, Pimblett is now back in both the title sweepstakes and, just as incredibly, and intriguingly, a showdown with Spanish superstar Topuria himself.

Sure, Holloway won the main event. But without getting either a moment, or celebration.

Instead, Paddy The Baddy took it all.

Interviewed afterwards as the McGregor drama played out in real time, Pimblett reacted to the chaos with: “Oh my God, McGregor’s done already?”

Then, after a short pause, he went again.

“Well, he’s finished,” he shrugged of the Irishman. “The new boy is in town. The main man’s here, you know what I mean. I can become the face of the organisation now. What a great performance from me. I don’t wanna blow smoke up me own arse but what a performance …”

4. What could Bobby Knuckles do as a light heavyweight?

While he may have come into this one covered in more question marks than The Riddler, Robert Whittaker went and inked yet another chapter to his storied career – this time finishing Nikita Krylov in the third round of his light heavyweight debut.

While not calling out any 205 pounders specifically, there is no doubting Bobby K has gone and started the conversation for some intriguing new fights – with talk straight afterwards turning to even former champion, and current No.3, Jiri Prozachka.

Fears around Whittaker’s size, or lack of it, never materalised. Same deal the assertion that his power, and ability to take a punch, couldn’t carry up two divisions from his UFC debut all those years ago.

But with his family in the crowd, the Aussie won big.

While Australia’s first UFC champion doesn’t have many fights left, there is no doubting he is now in contention for a real slobberknocker next up, and despite having already suggested he won’t consider facing new champ Carlos Ulberg, who is recovering from a busted ACL – given he has trained several times with the New Zealander.

5. Did McGregor carry injury into the fight?

If so, why would he throw that kick to open proceedings?

Which isn’t to say it isn’t on the money. With footage of McGregor warming up backstage, then appearing to stumble slightly while removing his shoes by the cage, already being rewound and scrutinized ad infinitum.

Already people are asking why the Irishman’s eyes weren’t locked on Holloway when he entered the cage? Was he sweating too much? Did he really battle on that right leg removing a shoe? You don’t think so? Hang on, let’s rewind the footage again. And again. Now do the same for those warm-up kicks in the locker room.

Certainly, given the way McGregor was blasted after withdrawing from Chandler previously, and the money his return was generating for everyone involved, you can certainly understand why a man might make the walk comprised.

6. What next for Max Holloway?

You gotta feel sorry for the Hawaiian superstar, right?

Or at least as much as you can feel for a fella who still went and earned himself a huge bag for less than a minute’s work.

Understanding that while he won the fight, ‘Blessed’ walks away from this night as he walked into it, the undeniable side note to all things McGregor. Perhaps the biggest win for the Hawaiian would be a fight with Pimblett himself.

Undeniably, Holloway will want the McGregor trilogy.

But with only 24 hours on, it seems that option is gone.

Father Time took it.