Nolan King: McGregor vs. Cerrone is good, but Gaethje would have been better
Most people won’t outright complain about having the opportunity to see Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone throw down. I know I won’t. It’s a high-action fight between two of the most well-known fighters on the UFC roster.
McGregor vs. Cerrone is good, but McGregor vs. [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] would be even better.
This is true for three main reasons.
First off, McGregor vs. Gaethje makes more sense from a divisional standpoint. If McGregor is serious about wanting a rematch with Khabib Nurmagomedov, he should be doing everything in his power to knock off those close to being granted the next title shot.
Additionally, Gaethje brings everything “Cowboy” brings to the table – and then some. One of the most exciting fighters in the history of MMA, Gaethje is one of the few competitors who can up the violence potential above Cerrone. Sure, McGregor and Cerrone will be exciting. But Gaethje-level exciting? That’s unlikely.
Third, McGregor will not be able to make the same statement against Cerrone as he would Gaethje. If the Irishman walks to the cage and knocks Cerrone silly, he’ll be seen as doing the same thing Gaethje just did. Cerrone will be on a three fight losing skid: “McGregor beat a declining fighter.”
Good for Cerrone. He deserves this – he deserves this payday. And hell, he could certainly beat McGregor. I’m just looking for the best, most sensical matchups possible – and that could have been found in McGregor vs. Gaethje.
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