Love it or hate it, Conor McGregor is the biggest draw in the world of combat sports today. He is a walking talking paycheck. He's the main event, he's the draw, he's the living breathing embodiment of the UFC today.
After becoming the first man in UFC history to hold the Featherweight & Lightweight Championships simultaneously, what's next for the Notorious One? He's conquered everything set before him in the octagon, and now it's time for him to prove himself in the squared circle.
With Rousey making an appearance at Wrestlemania 32 and Lesnar fighting at UFC 200. What's there to stop McGregor becoming a part of WWE history? If the Irishman were ever to grace us with his profitable presence, here's five opponents I feel would be perfect for the 28-year old to face at Wrestlemania 33.
#5 Roman Reigns:
Picture this. The next golden boy of WWE versus the most popular athlete on the planet. Picture Reigns & McGregor squaring up in front of a sold out crowd at Wrestlemania in Florida.
Of course, Reigns would get that boisterous heel treatment and McGregor would be incredibly over, but at least we know that the 70,000 + in attendance would be deeply interested in the match. Just imagine that atmosphere, it'd be special.
A technical hard hitting athlete versus a resilient powerhouse. When McGregor claimed on Twitter that he would slap everyone on the WWE roster, Reigns responded in typically bullish fashion. Making reference to McGregor's featherweight size. It's clear that Reigns doesn't respect the Irishman in the slightest.
This match would not only raise the roof at Wrestlemania but would finally cement Reigns' status as the crossover star that the WWE want him to be.
#4 Big Show:
I think it's time for our annual Big Show vs. a celebrity match. Who could ever forget the once in a lifetime match between Floyd Mayweather and the Big Show. The 400-pounder is the perfect gateway opponent for outside competitors. He provides a larger than life presence that creates a unique dynamic in any fight he has.
Casual viewers don't necessarily pay to see the Big Show but he is a one of a kind star attraction. People would pay good money to see the Notorious One tactically dismantle him. This bout could be promoted on speed vs. size, skill vs. strength and technique vs. brute force. Only in the WWE could you watch such a match.
#3 Brock Lesnar:
Let's decide once and for all, who the ‘ baddest’ man on the planet really is.
It's no easy feat to dominate the octagon AND the squared circle, but Brock Lesnar is the one man to have done it. After all the disparaging things the Irishman has said about the WWE, this match would have to happen.
This bout would incorporate a wide variety of fighting styles like; mixed martial arts, ground grappling, kickboxing and good old bare knuckle fighting.
In one of Conor's most recent foul-mouthed rants, the 28-year old claimed the former NCAA Champion was a great fighter but "he's juiced up like the rest of 'em." Clearly, there's no respect for Brock on Conor’s side.
You look down on the WWE, but one of the greatest fighters in UFC history is a WWE regular and prefers the squared circle. What does that say Conor? Don't you think we're up to standard? We dare you to step in the ring with The Conqueror.
#2 Seth Rollins:
The self-proclaimed future of the WWE taking on a man who looks down on his profession. Man to man, athlete to athlete, Seth Rollins to Conor McGregor.
Just try and imagine the various combinations these two could pull off in the ring. They're the epitome of agility, core strength, flexibility & athletic ability. What better way to decide who's physically superior between UFC and WWE than to pit their most complete athletes against each other.
These two athletes are what I would label as the pinnacle of sporting excellence.
Seth who is a wrestler who takes great pride in his craft, wasn't fazed by McGregor's aggressive remarks towards his industry. When asked how the UFC fighter would fare in the WWE, Rollins stated that McGregor would make a "fantastic cruiserweight," ouch. Therefore implying the dual champion ain't ready to talk to the big boys, yet.
#1 John Cena:
The two most famous athletes in their field, two household names, two main event draws. John Cena vs. Conor McGregor is a match of record-breaking proportions. When you cross-match two major promotions like WWE and the UFC, it's imperative that you pit their two biggest stars against each other, in order to gain maximum mainstream exposure.
When first asked about the WWE, Conor immediately started talking trash about Cena, labelling him a "failed Mr Olympia.” Conor instantly associated wrestling with Cena, because he's the most recognisable name in the business today. The amount of coverage this match would get would be astronomical.
It would draw UFC fans in and also casual viewers who are not even aware of the product. Add The Rock in as a special guest referee and we've literally got the most star-studded match in history.
Perhaps McGregor would run rings around Cena in terms of combat moves, but the Irishman would find it near impossible to pin or submit a man, who doesn't know the meaning of giving up. With the weight of their respective brands on their backs, neither man would want to let his fellow athletes down, culminating in a showdown that puts everything on the line to truly decide who's better.
WWE or UFC.
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