Why the UFC Should Book Conor McGregor vs. the Korean Zombie
It's becoming more and more apparent that Irish sensation Conor McGregor is on his way to becoming the biggest superstar in mixed martial arts.
That's not just us writers blowing smoke up his you-know-what; it's relevant in the way he conducts himself inside and outside of the Octagon.
As the unofficial front man for European MMA's American invasion, McGregor has already inherited a shoulder-shattering amount of pressure and responsibility.
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At only 26 years of age, The King of Dublin has talked the talk and walked the walk to become one of the most highly touted names in the industry today.
He's caught the eye of Dana White, the wallets of millions of fans and the attention of fellow featherweight foes.
To think the young whippersnapper has done all of this through just four promotional victories, ending three of those by vicious first-round finishes, is absolutely mind-boggling.
However—and there usually is a "however"—McGregor and the UFC are walking a fine line when it comes to moving just a little too quickly, which could consequently offset his divisional momentum and unparalleled selling ability.
Surrounded by arguably the deepest and most talent-rich group of contenders any division in the sport has today, the Irishman is going to find out that things are only going to get more difficult.
If both parties truly believe that he's ready to take on the gut-wrenching challenge of dethroning a pound-for-pound champion in Jose Aldo, who hasn't lost since 2005, then so be it.
However, if there is even one ounce of doubt or uncertainty that Aldo's precision and unflappable cage presence will be too much for a fighter who just faced his first real test, the UFC should hang back and think things through.
Given how promoted and publicly driven McGregor has been, a loss at this point in his career may be all it takes to knock the train off the tracks.
In other words, the UFC essentially needs this kid to become champion the first time around. Another lengthy, hype-induced title run just doesn't carry the same sense of appeal.
It's important that they play their cards right and go all-in on the right hand. That hand could mean booking McGregor a title run opposite the winner of Aldo vs. Chad Mendes II, but it could also mean giving the gifted featherweight one more fight before he goes for gold.
With that in mind, who better than Chan Sung Jung to truly usher McGregor into the next tier of top contenders?
As one of the toughest outs in the sport today, The Korean Zombie poses a unique threat to Notorious that we've yet to see.
His striking and ability to stay in an opponent's face are unlike anything McGregor has ever encountered, along with his ability to eat punches like he was, well, the undead.
His durability is near elite, even though Dustin Poirier's was as well, but Jung can absorb damage and remain offensive with the best of them.
Not to mention a finish over a guy like The Korean Zombie would essentially build McGregor's legacy tenfold.
Arguably the most important aspect of giving the budding megastar one more outing before a championship showdown would be to make a final promotional push here in America to ensure he becomes the next Chuck Liddell.
Ireland all but shuts down when this guy fights, so it's time to make him a bona fide household name here in the States.
There's no better way to do so than to put his next fight on free TV.
That's right, we're talking McGregor vs. The Korean Zombie on Fox.
There's simply no better way to take a European destroyer like McGregor, give him his own headlining spot on national television and allow even the most casual of fight fans to accept him into their homes for no cost at all.
It's marketing 101.
From that standpoint, it makes complete sense for the UFC to sit on its golden egg and allow his undeniable stardom to shine through to its fullest.
If McGregor is to turn into the face of MMA, which is what many people believe he can do, then he'll have to close on the American market before it's too late.
However, he'll have to put his title hopes on hold for five more rounds (if that) to do so.
For more UFC news and coverage, Follow @DHiergesell
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