Following the conclusion of April’s UFC 223 event in Brooklyn, the promotion considered having a mini-tournament which would have featured four of the sports biggest stars.
Ariel Helwani reported the UFC’s unique idea, which has apparently stalled, earlier this afternoon.
After UFC 223, a plan was put in place for a mini tournament involving four of the biggest stars in MMA: Khabib vs. McGregor and GSP vs. Diaz. Winners face off. That stalled. And now Khabib wants GSP — https://t.co/Jlb9FsblbL pic.twitter.com/IOzEg2pGSH
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 2, 2018
“After UFC 223, a plan was put in place for a mini tournament involving four of the biggest stars in MMA: Khabib vs. McGregor and GSP vs. Diaz. Winners face off. That stalled.” – Ariel Helwani
After Khabib Nurmagomedov captured the UFC’s “vacant” lightweight title by outpointing Al Iaquinta at UFC 223 in Brooklyn, the promotion wanted to put together a mini-tournament featuring four of the sports biggest stars in which the two winners would eventually face off at the end of the year.
The plan was to have former lightweight title challenger Nate Diaz take on former two-division champion Georges St-Pierre at August’s UFC 227 event in Los Angeles, while pitting Conor McGregor against Khabib Nurmagomedov later this fall.
Unfortunately the idea of this mini-tournament was put on ice after the St-Pierre vs. Nate Diaz fight failed to come to fruition.
The Canadian superstar is still dealing with symptoms from his ulcer and that among other reasons is why his proposed bout with “The Stockton Slugger” will not take place at UFC 227 on August 4.
As for the potential Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov lightweight tile fight, the UFC has to wait for “Mystic Mac” to have his court hearing later this month in Brooklyn, which of course stems from his now infamous bus attacked in April, before finalizing any plans for the Irish superstar.
Both fights are technically still on the table, but it will be some time before we receive any new news.
Who do you think would have emerged victorious if this mini-tournament went down as originally planned? Sound off PENN Nation!