Urijah Faber vs. Conor McGregor Almost Happened
Everyone has probably heard by now that Conor McGregor will have to deal with Nate Diaz instead of UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos following the Brazilian’s untimely withdrawal due to injury.
While the development was seen as a big blow, UFC president Dana White seems to be counting on the word war going on between the two to create some hype.
Diaz surprisingly got the nod over a number of fighters ready to take on the Irishman. That list included David Cerrone, Anthony Pettis, Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar, all of which could stir up some interest.
Despite the short notice, Diaz's condition is being questioned as expected. White, however, came out to say that the 30-year-old was in perfect physical condition since he has been training for a triathlon.
"Nate Diaz has been training for a triathlon," said White. "Nate Diaz is in phenomenal shape right now. So he's not coming in out of shape. He's in phenomenal shape right now."
Of the names mentioned as possible opponents, Edgar went ballistic when he was passed up for the fight.
"I have a feeling that if I had said ‘yes,’ if Ali had texted back ‘yes,’ that fight still would have went to Nate Diaz. I think Nate Diaz was the fight they were trying to make since the beginning. From what I hear they contacted Nate even before they contacted me,” said Edgar.
Contrary to that claim by Edgar, White says that Edgar was injured and the reason he was passed up.
Another name who could have been interesting is Urijah Faber. His case is equally intriguing since he claims that he has accepted the pitch.
"Dana called me and offered me the fight," Faber said. "He said I was who he is pushing for. I accepted [but] Conor ended up wanting Diaz. I was ready. Lean at 158 [pounds]."
One reason a Faber vs. McGregor tiff never pushed through was the disparity in size.
"He looked friggin' huge," Faber said of McGregor. "I would have been at a big disadvantage, but would have had to use speed and grappling. [It would have been an] uphill battle, but I don't care."
It may be pointless right now to argue on who should have been McGregor’s opponent other than Diaz right now with the card already set.
McGregor, known for shooting out his mouth, has placed himself as one of the hated UFC fighters as far as fans of his opponents are concerned. And with Diaz having his share of followers, there is one who may have taken it a bit to the extreme.
A fan reportedly residing in California took exception to the rants made by McGregor on Diaz, which went as far as possibly threatening the Irishman by posing with an AK-47.
Though such is nothing new in social media, the UFC has taken it seriously and stepping up McGregor’s security as a preventive measure. The fan’s Twitter account has since been removed but the FBI has joined the UFC in looking into the matter considering the gun violence issues happening these days.
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