We’ve a lot of catching up to do.
2016 appears to be the year when fight contract negotiations are dragged into the public sphere.
Much like governments ‘leaking’ budget details – flying kites – to gauge the public reaction, fighters, agents and match-makers seem to be putting a bout into the online ether and then getting to work on the cold, hard numbers.
For the past three weeks, Eddie Alvarez has been moving closer to a UFC Lightweight title fight against Conor McGregor. There have been various reports suggesting the contest will happen at New York’s UFC 205, with well sourced journalists reporting that Alvarez-McGregor is the promotion’s number one choice.
The hold-up is said to be McGregor’s camp trying to secure a lightweight title shot while allowing McGregor to hold onto his featherweight belt until a Spring 2017 title defence.
In the early hours of this morning, Alvarez attempted to move the negotiations along:
Let's do this @TheNotoriousMMA I'm ready !! Your futures not bright enjoy this one while it last . #ItsAllOver
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) September 21, 2016
That did not please Khabib Nurmagomedov, who looked set for a crack at the lightweight title until McGregor’s 170 lbs rematch victory over Nate Diaz [somehow] made him a viable 155 lb contender.
Everyone know who is the real Eagle you're both bunch of chicken your daddy @danawhite protect you One of you going to be my food soon 🔪🔪🔪🔪 https://t.co/ZPvICQWGi4
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 21, 2016
With so much chatter on social media about Alvarez and McGregor being set for UFC 205, in November, one fight fan went straight to the top. He asked UFC president Dana White for a straight answer and got this in response:
not true it's @TeamKhabib
— danawhite (@danawhite) September 21, 2016
With that, Nurmagomedov was a happy bunny again:
I hag a very generous birthday gift today. Thanks @danawhite @ufc #ufclightweightchamp2016 #inshaAllah
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 21, 2016
The Eagle also tweeted that he had signed a contract to fight Alvarez and was just waiting on the champion to put pen to paper.
A UFC spokesperson has insisted no lighthweight title fight has been confirmed yet so this may simply be gamesmanship from the fighters involved. White’s tweet would suggest, however, that he is holding to his word about McGregor defending his 145 lbs belt against Jose Aldo next.
Interestingly, amid the flurry of tweets last night, McGregor steered clear.
