Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz will have a rematch on Saturday night at UFC 202, and while the fight is a "must-win for McGregor," it also is a "must-win" for UFC, according to Brian Campbell of ESPN.com. It takes stars to "drive mainstream interest," and following the UFC's recent $4B sale to WME-IMG, its new owners are at a "bit of a deficit in that category." It is "something McGregor is well aware of, too." McGregor said, "There is 95 percent bums in the game, that's the God's honest truth. Like I said, if I took myself out of here, it would be just hillbillies hugging each other to the bell." Campbell noted when looking "up and down the UFC roster, there is no one within the same area code when it comes to McGregor's value to the company as a star." A McGregor win Saturday "could only increase his value to the UFC." But a second loss to Diaz "would be another story" (ESPN.com, 8/18). In DC, Jeff Wagenheim writes this weekend "means everything" for McGregor. He is "at a crossroads" in MMA, a "sport he has transformed." A loss Saturday would mean any "significant crossover appeal in the mainstream culture, sports or otherwise, would be doused." That is what McGregor "has been after all along" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/19).
SUIT & TIE: UFC President Dana White said Thursday that the "wheels are in motion for a lawsuit" after Diaz and McGregor on Wednesday "started launching water bottles, cans and even coffee cups at each other" during their pre-fight press conference. FOXSPORTS.com's Damon Martin noted the lawsuit is "being filed after somebody was apparently injured during the melee." White said that the lawsuit is "just one problem McGregor and Diaz will face after the altercation," because both fighters could also "face potential punishment from the Nevada State Athletic Commission over the matter." White: "They're both getting punished. What everybody's got to understand is we're overseen by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. I guarantee both of these guys are gonna get massive fines and there's probably going to be a hearing after the fight. There could be suspensions, community service, it's gonna be ugly" (FOXSPORTS.com, 8/18). In N.Y., George Willis writes the incident is "another blemish for the UFC." Innocent bystanders "could have been severely injured, including the two main events fighters that people have paid thousands to see." The incident was "certainly not appreciated by the MGM Grand and will be reviewed" by the NSAC (N.Y. POST, 8/19).
