By catering to McGregor, UFC hurting product, rest of roster Conor McGregor won the UFC featherweight title in December but has yet to defend it.
That Conor McGregor is by far the most powerful fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship again was proved this week.
Not because of his physical strength, though the Irishman does have plenty of pop in his fists and feet.
Not because he is in line for yet another bumper payday when he headlines UFC 205 in November.
And not because he was picked to front the organization’s first show in New York City after state laws were changed to allow it.
It is because he is allowed to do pretty much whatever he likes.
McGregor will attempt to become the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously when he challenges lightweight titlist Eddie Alvarez at Madison Square Garden, which would be a great achievement if it was not completely unfair.
To be clear, Alvarez vs. McGregor is an appealing and potentially thrilling fight, well worthy of being the centerpiece of what promises to be a huge night for the sport. But allowing McGregor to keep his featherweight belt is nothing short of absurd.
The last time McGregor fought at featherweight was Dec. 12, when he claimed the title by knocking out Jose Aldo.
He tried to get the lightweight strap next, only for then-champion Rafael dos Anjos to pull out with an injury. Nate Diaz stepped up on short notice and beat McGregor in a stunning upset, with the bout taking place at 170 pounds. McGregor wanted revenge, and eventually got it, when he fought Diaz in August.
Now the Alvarez fight looms, and the featherweight division again stagnates.
There are many sound business reasons why riding the McGregor money train for all it is worth makes sense. But the UFC is sacrificing competitive credibility in the process.
The belts need to mean something, and allowing McGregor to hold on to one of them for more than a year without fighting in the division cheapens the value of having the title in the first place. There are fights going on at featherweight — Aldo bounced back by picking off Frankie Edgar at UFC 200, while youngster Max Holloway has won nine in a row since losing to McGregor in 2013. Either deserves a shot, and if McGregor is occupied at other weights, what would be the harm is allowing them to fight for the title?
UFC President Dana White acknowledges that he gives McGregor more leeway than anyone because he is a money spinner. That is understandable, but there needs to be a cap on it.
UFC 205 promises to be one of the highest-quality cards in UFC history. McGregor has that magical quality of being a heel and a crowd favorite at the same time. Big name, big ability and big personality. McGregor doesn’t need favors, doesn’t need help in furthering his name and reach. The UFC seems desperate to give him the chance to be a two-weight champion but seems to have forgotten such accolades only mean something if they are not created with smoke and mirrors.