The UFC returned to China with UFC Macau featuring Petr Yan‘s victory over Deiveson Figueiredo, while Conor McGregor faced fallout from a civil liability verdict for sexual assault, leading to sponsorship losses, and discussions on the potential implications for his career and the UFC’s response.
Last week, the UFC made its long-awaited return to China with UFC Macau. Petr Yan delivered a vintage performance against Deiveson Figueiredo, reasserting himself in the bantamweight title conversation. Meanwhile, Conor McGregor was found civilly liable for sexually assaulting a woman in 2018.
Needless to say, it was a busy week. Let’s dive into the details and what’s next on the horizon.
Conor McGregor fallout
Do you see a fallout from Conor’s lawsuit with regards to broadcast deal? A video game company already dropped him. UFC doesn’t care unless it affects their bottom line; but could it affect negotiations? Or will the deal be too attenuated from the case?
— LR (@SCsportsgal)
“Do you see a fallout from Conor’s lawsuit with regards to broadcast deal? A video game company already dropped him. UFC doesn’t care unless it affects their bottom line; but could it affect negotiations? Or will the deal be too attenuated from the case?”
Let’s start here: while McGregor was found civilly liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand, and ordered to pay roughly a quarter million dollars in damages, it’s important to remember this was not a criminal conviction. Civil cases require “a balancing of probabilities” while criminal ones need proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Simplified: civil judgments need 51% certainty; criminal ones demand near certainty.
However, public opinion is less forgiving than any jury. Anecdotally, many seem done with McGregor. Sponsors and projects are dropping him fast. Even Proper No. Twelve, his former whiskey brand, has distanced itself. This is what happens when you’re credibly accused of such serious misconduct.
Yet, the UFC might be one of the few major companies where this isn’t necessarily a deal breaker. McGregor isn’t the first to face severe accusations and still fight in the UFC. Dana White often dismisses such behavior with a shrug and “I’ve got 700 lunatics under contract.” Given this isn’t a criminal matter, they might just sweep it under the rug.
And I suspect they’ll succeed. White faced no consequences after his own incident, which faded quickly. The fanbase largely remains indifferent, and broadcasters likely won’t fret much either. ESPN aired Greg Hardy’s fights without issue, despite his controversies.
The real fallout will hit McGregor directly. While the UFC may not care, others do. There are plenty of alternatives for business partners who don’t carry such baggage. Expect more sponsors and business deals to drop him. Hollywood plans? Probably gone too.
Ironically, this could push McGregor back into fighting. He doesn’t need to financially, but with doors closing elsewhere, he might return to the gym. He’s hinted at it already.
Because if there’s one thing proven time and again: people can forgive almost anything if given a reason to love you again. Mike Tyson served time for rape yet drew massive audiences recently. Maybe McGregor can find his way back into public favor too.
UFC Macau
“What do you think Deiveson Figueiredo’s next move should be?”
Now on to some happier topics: UFC Macau aftermath.
On Saturday, Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo delivered one of 2024’s best fights. It may not win Fight of the Year but showcased elite MMA at every level. Yan should face Sean O’Malley next in a five-round rematch — but what about Figgy Smalls?
Figueiredo is nearing 37 years old; we may not have much prime time left with him. He should focus on exciting matchups now. Jose Aldo stands out as an ideal opponent: both coming off competitive losses (Aldo deserved better), both former champions in different divisions originally.
Carlos Ulberg
“What next for Carlos Ulberg after win #7 in a row?”
Ulberg defeated Volkan Oezdemir with professionalism but little flair at UFC Macau’s main card event. Now ranked No. 7 among light heavyweights with seven straight wins under his belt — poised for title contention! How about matching up against Khalil Rountree? A striking battle seems fitting!
Jon Jones
How do you determine if Jon Jones is trying to get paid what he’s worth fighting Tom Aspinall or if he’s pricing himself out because he has no real intentions of fighting him aka ducking?— Daggy899 (@AglioDavid) November 23 ,2024
< blockquote >< p ID ="id__wafa6xzlew "> “How do you determine if Jon Jones is trying to get paid what he ’s worth fighting Tom Aspinall or if he ’s pricing himself out because he has no real intentions of fighting him aka ducking ?”
< p ID ="nk6sb1 "> Well ,Jones will never get paid what he ’s worth fighting Tom Aspinall because he fights in UFC ,and they don ‘t do that .But setting aside ,answer is we will never know .Only Jon Jones knows what’s in his own heart & motivations .Unless you’re Jones ,we can only guess .And unless Jones comes out & says “I will only do it for $1 billion “then guess is all we have .
< p ID ="F0Ig7r "> Unless ,of course ,UFC does decide spending money needed making fight happen .If meets Jon ’s demands & then starts moving goalposts ,clear indication never wanted action place first .But again ,will ever know that ? Unlikely .
< p ID ="2zhtDD "> So ultimately ,you ‘ll just have deciding yourself whether asking more money than normally would savvy negotiation or tacit admission thinks could lose Aspinall thus only risking paid king ‘s ransom .I know where stand honestly don’t blame choice believe making even necessarily like it .
< strong > PFL Championships
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< p lang ="en "dir ="ltr "> What are looking forward more Thanksgiving or gazillion hours 2024 PFL Championship ? — Nick Baldwin (@NickBaldwinMMA ) November 23 ,2024
< blockquote >< p ID ="id__0hq8wpdwkc0c "> “What are looking forward more Thanksgiving or gazillion hours 2024 PFL Championship ?”
< p ID ="c5dFNC "> Why not both ? PFL Championships & Thanksgiving tradition like NBA Christmas .
< p ID ="U2jugd "> OK ,not quite like admit enjoy PFL Championships every year .Even haven’t kept season format whatever still talking meaningful fights creating six new millionaires Friday terrible (they could be !) still pretty damn cool .
< P ID = "bCroj1 "> Having said once again begging PFL please hire consultant doing one mega-card Friday strains even most optimistic fans (like myself) simply reason hold all six tournament championships same card REALLY NO REASON WHATSOEVER also having five regional championship bouts same card ! Ten fights possibly going twenty-five minutes INSANE ! Plus some reason known only God Donn Davis event also has six more fights scheduled! There jurisdictions consider war crime .
< P ID = "yEVOXl "> The very obvious simple answer here should two-day extravaganza half tournament bouts Friday other half Saturday taking over entire weekend delivering not just championship bouts filling many good fights possible aside being good business don ‘t think fighters might like chance earn money right before holidays long break until start next season ?
This isn ‘t hard I don ‘t know why they can’t see it .
< strong > Bellator
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< P lang = "en "dir = "ltr "> Thoughts Bellator lack fights situation ? — Augusteam (@CsardeA8 ) November 24 ,2024
< blockquote >< P ID = "id__lgtzzs1jo8 "> “Thoughts Bellator lack fights situation ?”
And along those lines PFL has getting shit together Bellator nearly every best fighters acquired buying out spoken publicly against screwing pooch all good will had start year gone truly clue hell doing point .
When bought immediate thought great move while good broadcast deal things favor didn ‘t roster talent acquiring greatly helped front seeing flounder flub great fighters nothing short disaster sucks fan killing brand respected fighters shit en masse doesn ‘t make lining joining promotion terrible business hurt year very likely greatly impede ability re-sign talent time comes completely unforced error .
My best guess couldn ‘t financially close acquiring legal financial reasons instead keeping limping along running clock frankly feels clock near end guess next year folded completely brand point fighters easier getting booked damage already done then .
I thought transformative looking might right just way imagined .
< em > Thanks reading thank everyone sent tweets (Xs ?) Do burning questions things least somewhat related combat sports luck send tweets me < / em >< A HREF= ”https://twitter.com/JedKMeshew” >< em > @JedKMeshew < / em >< / A >< em > I answer favorite ones matter topical insane just long good thanks again see y’all next week.< / em >< / P >