Line them up and take them down. Cerrone wants it, Nate Diaz is never going to turn it down if it's offered but are either of those two sufficient draws to take the slack from Rafael dos Anjos and a title fight at UFC 196?
We analysed the news and what next for McGregor on our daily sports podcast, The Racket:
The reality of the matter is that the opponent probably isn't that important when it comes to the kind of income that the UFC can expect. There's going to be no title on the line, the big bucks are coming at UFC 200 and it's now just about keeping that train rolling.
But that's not to say that fans are willing to accept any old fight. Cowboy Cerrone has put his name forward and, at this moment in time, he's seemed like the most likely alternative. It may have to be catchweight but he's fit and he's ready to fight on 11 days notice. But there's another man who's making it known that before Cerrone steps into the breach, he's going to make sure he gets a fair shot.
Step forward Anthony Pettis.
I'm down to throw down!!! @dukeroufus @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) February 23, 2016
That desire to take the fight has since been confirmed by Ariel Helwani who has spoken to Malki Kawa, Pettis' agent, and it seems that his camp is not only willing to take the fight but they've actually reached out to the UFC to ensure that they're at the top of the list.
Just spoke to @malkikawa, @showtimepettis’ manager, and he said they have reached out to the UFC this AM. They want the McGregor fight, too.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 23, 2016
If we're going by the UFC rankings, it's Pettis' fight if he wants it (assuming Cerrone and Diaz are the only real alternatives). However, for all his pedigree, he's on a two fight losing streak. The split decision defeat to Eddie Alvarez in January really set him back after he lost the lightweight title to Dos Anjos back in March.
However, at his best, Pettis is a more than worthy opponent to fill Dos Anjos' shoes. Cerrone may have been impressive against Alex Oliveira at the weekend but he only moved up to welterweight after being thoroughly outclassed by Dos Anjos in December. Unless it's a catchweight fight, you have to ask how Cerrone would possibly get back down to 155. And if it is a catchweight fight would McGregor not be better served sticking to lightweight and claiming the scalp of one of the top ranked contenders.
With Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson set to go head to head in April, it leaves Alvarez, Pettis, Cerrone and Diaz as the top lightweights available to McGregor on March 5th. Alvarez is the number one ranked contender and we'll have to wait and see what his plans are but, at this moment in time, Pettis is the highest ranked lightweight to put his name forward.
On the back of two wins, Alvarez doesn't really need to compromise his ranking and take a fight on such short notice but the same can't be said of Pettis. Time is running out to find a replacement and there's not an unlimited number of fighters available. As things stand, the betting may be edging towards the former lightweight champ.
