It Sure Sounds Like a GSP vs. Conor McGregor Superfight Is Eventually Going to Happen
It seems there are three certainties in this life: death, taxes, and a blockbuster bout between Georges St-Pierre and Conor McGregor going down. Barely a week since GSP’s impressive comeback win over Michael Bisping at UFC 217, the rumour mill is already furiously a’churnin’: might Rush soon find himself in the Octagon staring down Conor McGregor?
Now let’s cool our jets for a second. There are a great many reasons why a fight between these two superstars would be a potentially bad idea. I can think of 30 — specifically, the 30 pounds that separate McGregor, the current lightweight champ, from GSP, the current middleweight champ. Hell, UFC president Dana White almost admitted as much himself while being questioned by TMZ on Wednesday. But then he seesawed on it.
“No, Conor and him won’t… listen, I never say never,” White said.
“Conor would take that fight,” the paparazzo interjected.
“Conor would take any fight,” White admitted with a smirk.
Then, on Thursday, after being pressed about a potential bout with McGregor by TMZ, GSP indicated he wouldn’t rule it out, stating, “I’m not saying no to anything. I just look at the option and see what’s the best.”
You hear that? That’s the sound of the entire MMA/sports fan multiverse going:
This will-they-won’t-they dithering feels awfully familiar. It smacks of the early lead-up to that other fight of the century, McGregor vs. Mayweather. Our boy Conor, who currently clocks in at 155 pounds, is certainly no stranger to leaving his comfort zone to take on big-name fighters for princely paycheques. And you can bet your bollocks to a barndance that a GSP vs. McGregor superfight would be lucrative — for all parties involved. Vegas has already gotten this hype train started by releasing odds. Bodog has GSP listed as a -150 favourite, while McGregor comes back at +120.
The bout might not even be as farcical as the apparent size difference lets on. St-Pierre may have packed on the pounds for his recent middleweight battle, but he’s spent his career taking names as a welterweight. And McGregor has stepped up to 170 pounds before to fight Nate Diaz. The two seem closer in size than they look on paper.
Are you seriously going to tell me that Conor is too small to fight GSP? I'm not buying it. pic.twitter.com/wbDhrXGBZO
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) November 5, 2017
And sure, size isn’t the only thing. McGregor may simply lack the technical proficiency to counter GSP’s takedown mastery. And while the Notorious’ strength is in striking, St-Pierre did just withstand several nasty punches to the face from a much bigger man. But, hey, McGregor does love himself a good challenge — especially if the price is right. And seeing as this could be the biggest spectacle in MMA history, the price may be too right for the UFC ignore.
Besides, just imagine the glorious trash talk between these two!
GSP: “I believe I have the skill, athleticism, and wrestling IQ to dominate this fight.”
McGregor: “I’ll rest my balls in your poutine.”
Priceless.
