Im curious what other UFC fighters think of the blatant favoritism for McGregor. Its one thing for a company to favor an employee and push him up the ranks, but when that company also employs that favored employee's competition, things get a bit dicey.
And its not just the bolstered marketing and advertising efforts for the chap or the ferrari rides etc. Its about general accommodations, its about matchmaking, its about special care (e.g. lorenzo offering mcgregor to take him to the best hand care specialist in the US for his thumb injury).
Its one of the issues of having one entity be the event, the promoter and the matchmaker all rolled up into one.
For the record, I'm a fan of this guy and think he has the potential to be great. I'd like to see him against a tough, high-level wrestler before I totally sign-off on him, but his striking skill is definitely top notch.
iFish - Favouritism? This isn't some sort of democracy. If you have an employee generating more interest and revenue than others, he will be treated differently.
I already addressed and discarded that argument. MMA is different from other employment and you can't compare them. In a normal job, you aren't directly competing against your fellow colleagues in physical combat which is supposed to be entirely merit based.
If Conor gets more money, more publicity- thats fine and well deserved. But certain things go beyond that. Where I would draw the line is anything that clearly give him an advantage in the cage (e.g. hooking him up with the best hand specialist).
Fighters need to be more brash and let people know what they're really thinking. I think some fighters are timid to tell the truth and fear being embarrassed if they lose on a global stage.
Something I appreciate about McGregor is that he will win big or lose big. He will be a hero or a chump. This is prizefighting, I think the right mentality is to take the risk and make more money. 
Other fighters have been protected from bad match ups long before this.
It's clear that the UFC is looking for Conors and Rondas, and it best fits their business interests. I think most fighters should understand that at this point. That doesn't mean you can't be successful and rich on your own. It's just that if you are a Conor or Ronda it will come much faster and arguably easier.
The UFC is not 3rd grade soccer where every kid gets a chance to play, regardless of skill. The UFC is a business. Conor McGregor is a top earner in that business, and is being treated accordingly. It did bother his opponent last fight that McGregor was receiving more attention, but the solution would have been to beat McGregor, and he didn't.
It is factually incorrect to suggest that McGregor received some matchmaking gift in Dustin Poirier. Poirier is a badass, was the #5 guy in the world. McGregor predicted a first round KO, and did it.
iFish -gokudamus -Again, he generates more interest and therefore revenue. The ufc are simply protecting their investment. Heal faster and better, get back quicker and continue generating.iFish - Favouritism? This isn't some sort of democracy. If you have an employee generating more interest and revenue than others, he will be treated differently.
I already addressed and discarded that argument. MMA is different from other employment and you can't compare them. In a normal job, you aren't directly competing against your fellow colleagues in physical combat which is supposed to be entirely merit based.
If Conor gets more money, more publicity- thats fine and well deserved. But certain things go beyond that. Where I would draw the line is anything that clearly give him an advantage in the cage (e.g. hooking him up with the best hand specialist).
I'm not saying it's right or wrong, that's just the way pro sports are. Most leagues are regulated by collective agreements that prevents any incentives/gifts outside of their contracts, but they'll still favour their stars in any way they can.
yeah, i think weve established its happening...this discussion is for whether or not the UFC has crossed that line and what other fighters, particularly those that have to compete against conor, feel about it...
Kirik -
The UFC is not 3rd grade soccer where every kid gets a chance to play, regardless of skill. The UFC is a business. Conor McGregor is a top earner in that business, and is being treated accordingly. It did bother his opponent last fight that McGregor was receiving more attention, but the solution would have been to beat McGregor, and he didn't.
It is factually incorrect to suggest that McGregor received some matchmaking gift in Dustin Poirier. Poirier is a badass, was the #5 guy in the world. McGregor predicted a first round KO, and did it.
sorry, kiriki, but you are wrong. porier is a badass and a name, but its basically the best high-level matchup for conor.
and i understand its not 3rd grade soccer, but at some point, you need to draw the line right?
what if the ufc paid for travel and accomodation for 6 of conor's trainers instead of the norm. what if they got conor and paid for the #1 therapists for conor when he is hurt. what if they force conor's opponents to have a more hectic or difficult media schedule? what if they purposefully give conor's toughest opponents short notice to fight him?
Galanis -Kirik -
The UFC is not 3rd grade soccer where every kid gets a chance to play, regardless of skill. The UFC is a business. Conor McGregor is a top earner in that business, and is being treated accordingly. It did bother his opponent last fight that McGregor was receiving more attention, but the solution would have been to beat McGregor, and he didn't.
It is factually incorrect to suggest that McGregor received some matchmaking gift in Dustin Poirier. Poirier is a badass, was the #5 guy in the world. McGregor predicted a first round KO, and did it.
On point from someone who has been around for a long time.
People who can't see this just hate on successful fighters who know how to generate interest and money. And unlike Chael, McGregor goes in there and destroys people.
True and everyone I see acting like one of those 3rd grade soccer players on here, well it tells me a lot about their maturity level and ability to succeed in this world.
It is the losers and the mediocre that cry favoritism when a genius like MacGregor comes along and charts his own path in this world.
These same people would have hated Ali in his prime as he was ascending.
It's really sad to see among the better educated on this board.