Let the Good Times Roll : Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor is now officially on a roll. I say officially just to reaffirm the fact to those who have been doubting how long he could continue his current run in the UFC. Some believe that the Dubliner has been gifted his opponents. Been protected by the big wigs in the boardrooms of UFC HQ in Vegas. How much of that is true will always be up for discussion. But where he currently finds himself in the very latest rankings is not! Sitting quite snuggly in at number 5, the previous home of the now vanquished Dustin Poirier. So who, what and where next for the fighting son of Eire?

Of course we already know what the answer to that would be if McGregor had it all his own way. As in his post fight interview with Joe Rogan he was quick to let the fans and UFC brass know his thoughts when he said;  “I’ll eliminate Chad mini Mendes and step in and give the fans what they really want, Aldo versus McGregor“. His visions of a World title by the end of year may or may not come to pass. And what should be taken from the fact that he will be sitting cageside in Brazil for the upcoming Aldo Mendes fight? perhaps nothing! As we recently saw when Cub Swanson was invited to attend UFC Dublin, the rumour mills once again went into overdrive. But you see, the UFC are the very best in this business and when they want to grab those headlines and kick the blogosphere into overdrive, they know exactly what to do!

Ahead of him in the rankings are four fighters who have all lost to the current champ at some point, stretching as far back as 2009. With each fighter already booked to fight, the buzz from said blogosphere seems to be very much for him to face either the winner of Aldo – Mendes or Swanson – Edgar. Fans however shouldn't be to quick to count out Dennis Bermudez who meets Ricardo Lamas at UFC 180. With 7 straight wins, the longest in the division. A win over Lamas and his name could very well soon be mentioned in the same breath as the Irishman. It may all simply boil down to timing and schedules. But as the remainder of the year comes to a close, things should begin to settle down as the title contention picture becomes a whole lot clearer.

Following on from his decisive win at UFC 178. For many fans of the SBG fighter, perhaps the greatest shock wasn't that he beat Poirier, maybe no shock at all. But it was how he did it. Disposing of the dangerous and confident striker in under two minutes is sure to have those ahead and below in the rankings making a collective audible, oh! Sure he talks the talk, he runs his mouth. But now they know for sure, he can also back it up. It’s that rare formula, that rare breed of athlete who can combine the words with the actions that have set Conor McGregor on this current path. Where and how it will end, well that story has yet to be written. But fans, friends and naysayers alike are all be in agreement that it’s something they all want to see play out. And that my friends is music to the ears of those guys who count the numbers and for who the numbers count. Dana, Lorenzo and Uncle Frank the Fourth are all aboard the train, first class carriage of course. And right now, it ain't stopping for no one.