Conor McGregor is open to fill in for Jon Jones if asked to fight this Saturday at UFC 200. (Photo : Getty Images/Kevork Djansezian)
UFC 200 finds itself in a bind following the sudden pullout of the main event pitting champion Daniel Cormier against Jon Jones. Conor McGregor is aware of the problem and wouldn’t mind filling in only if the UFC asked him.
Jones got hit with an anti-doping violation, forcing the UFC to scrap the much awaited rematch. Now, the fight between WWE champion Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt has become the main card alongside the UFC women’s bantamweight championship match featuring title-holder Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes.
While the two matches are still headliners, McGregor sent feelers that he wouldn’t mind filling in if the UFC asked him according to the NY Post. “The Notorious” is not scheduled to return to the Octagon until UFC 200 which happens in August.
McGregor was originally scheduled for a rematch against Nate Diaz but his failure to appear at promotional press tours forced the UFC to pull the card as a form of disciplinary action. Ironically, the Irishman singled out how the protagonists for the main and co-main event were not around during the press conference.
With UFC 200 only a day away, Dana White and company have not made any moves to consider reinstating McGregor. The Notorious says he is in shape and ready at a moment’s notice. Unfortunately the Conor McGregor option seems remote at this stage, meaning the Irishman will have to wait until next month to get back in the Octagon.
“Aug. 20 is my date, UFC 202, the real 200 and I will have my redemption.”
On the plight of Jones, McGregor could only wish him well with the latest debacle. With the failed drug test, “Bones” could face as much as a two-year ban according to ESPN. It was an unfortunate development considering the former light heavyweight champion was coming off a previous indefinite suspension.
Cormier will still be at UFC 200 and will instead face Anderson “The Spider” Silva in a non-title match according to Globo.
Check out the video below on McGregor’s reaction to the Jones issue.
