Following a successful finish to UFC 253, that saw three straight bonus-winning fights to end the show, a few things are clear:
- Brandon Royval is a heck of a fun fighter and a future potential star at flyweight
- Israel Adesanya never lost the ability to entertain, and it was downright silly to believe otherwise
- Dana White is none too happy about Conor McGregor leaking private texts between the pair, where they talk matchmaking
Oh, and the UFC President has no idea what’s going on with the recently revealed, but not yet finalized Conor McGregor-Manny Pacquiao boxing match.
“This is some man code stuff. It’s just something you don’t do. It’s one of the dirtiest things you can do,” White said regarding the private messages between himself and McGregor. White was addressing the media at the UFC 253 post-fight press conference, and as it so often does, talk strayed to McGregor.
Those messages happened to involve another fighter, UFC 253’s Diego Sanchez. Sanchez lost a decision to Jake Matthews on Saturday. “When you’re the number two or three ranked guy in the world, and you’re telling me you want to fight, but you want to fight unranked 39-year old Diego Sanchez in Los Angeles?”
White scoffed at the notion, and it’s hard to blame him. That fight feels more like a slaughter than a sporting contest, on paper. Sanchez is, if we’re being honest, past his prime. Still game, but not ready for a top five opponent.
As to how valid the McGregor vs. Pacquiao match is, “I have no idea,” admitted White. “You guys have been asking me about Conor McGregor forever. Did you guys see Conor’s tweet? The retirement one?”
Of course, no one in their right mind believes Conor McGregor is actually retired. But what comes next could get very interesting given the state of his relationship with the UFC, and the very lucrative pull of boxing. If history is any indicator, however, McGregor could very well get the deal done.
