Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Will Conor McGregor be a UFC Title challenger by the end of 2015?
Jul 21, 2014 - 5:05:20 PM ROUNDTABLE: Will Conor McGregor be a UFC Title challenger by the end of 2015?

DISCUSS ALL THIS IN OUR NEW MMATORCH FORUM

...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!

Has your opinion on Conor McGregor changed at all given his UFC Fight Night 46 performance and the reaction received in Ireland? Will he challenge for the UFC Featherweight Championship before the end of 2015? Why or why not?


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

I was 50/50 before the event, but now I'm fully invested in the hype and on board the Conor McGregor bandwagon. I'll be getting off before he fights anyone top five, but for now I'm happy to enjoy what he brings to the table if the event on Saturday is anything to go by.

He's probably going to fight Dustin Poirier next, and that's one hell of a challenge. If McGregor wins that one, his popularity could see him elevated into a title shot over others in the division. If not, at the very least, I expect him to continue fighting guys well above the standard of Brandao. Either way, it's a win win situation for fans in the UK and Ireland who urgently need a star to support.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

No, my opinion on him hasn't changed one bit. I still think he's a good fighter who believes he's better than he actually is. The reaction he received was cool, but it was his home country so I expected that. I think it's likely that he gets a title fight before the end of next year. The UFC really likes him, so outside of a total faceplant, he's going to get opportunities to succeed. I think he's talented, but painting a big target on your chest at this stage probably isn't the best strategy. I would like to see him fight a top 10 guy before really even starting to buy into the hype, though.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

It hasn't. Me, you, and everyone else expected him to likely win this fight, especially in Ireland. And I can't believe people are talking title for Conor when he's beaten Marcus Brimage, Max Holloway, and Diego Brandao. I expect he gets a fight with Dustin Poirer, likely for UFC 178, and loses. I'm not saying he will never be champ, but he has a long road ahead of him.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

My stance on Conor is still the same. Is he a good fighter? Of course. Has he really been tested? Not yet. He's only had three fights in the UFC, and all opponents haven't given a good account of themselves. Though you could argue tha'ts because of Conor's ability and style. Diego Brandao was tailor made for Conor; I'm not saying it was an easy fight, because he's a solid fighter, but he wasn't going to expose any of Conor's weaknesses.

What does impress me is the way he handles the pressure he puts upon himself. His mouth can run away with him, though at the moment he's backing everything up that he's saying. How many fighters can sell out a card in record time, and carry a card after only having two previous UFC fights? It's like he thrives on the whole occasion, and becomes a better fighter for it.

All this talk of title fights, or fighting Cub Swanson, is utter nonsense. He needs to earn his shot, beat a fighter in the top 15, then top 10, then this will put him on course for a fight with someone like Cub. This is what frustrates me most about the 'hype train': not going out and earning fights, running their mouths to get fights they don't deserve. Maybe I'm being naive in thinking this is how it should work, but I have more respect for fighters who get on with their job, beat people put in front of them, and get the rewards they deserve.

I would like to see him in with someone like Clay Guida, someone who won't just walk forward into punches; he's quick, slick, has a solid chin, and would test Conor's ground game. He needs to be tested against a decent fighter before I'm 100% sold on him.

I've got a feeling he will get a title shot sometime in 2015, and I for one hope it's on the back of earning it, and not being handed it. Though we've all seen before it really doesn't matter if you deserve it or not, as long as it makes commercial sense to the UFC.


CASH NORMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

No, my opinion of Conor has not changed after his performance at Fight Night 46. Prior to McGregor ever entering the Octagon, I watched some of his previous fights and thought he was special. Then he debuted in the UFC and absolutely dismantled Marcus Brimage. I think his performances against Max Holloway and Diego Brandao were average, and I think McGregor needs a higher ranked opponent who is well rounded and will stay in his face in order to convince some UFC fans of how good he is.

After watching some of his older fights, the promotional shows, and the two documentaries on him, I expected the reaction he received in Ireland. The UFC had the added benefit of returning to a country after five years with a homegrown star.

Will he challenge for the title toward the end of 2015? I don't believe so. I think that the UFC may actually cultivate the maturation of Conor rather than throwing him to the wolves. The UFC already realizes they have a burgeoning superstar on their hands, and will gradually increase the ranking of the opponents he faces, as well as the his visibility. I think we'll see McGregor appear on a couple of Fox Sports 1 main events, and possibly headline a card on Fox to provide greater exposure. Then I see him challenging for the title possibly during International Fight Week in 2016.