UFC 223: What You Need to Know

Is anyone else's heart beating and/or broken?

Either way Fight Fam, your good ol' pal Fight Hound will get you up to speed and keep you in the mix.

The UFC 223 Fight Card (Updated):

Co-Main Event: Khabib Nurmagomedov v Anthony Pettis (potentially happening)

First off, RESPECT to Anthony Pettis for stepping up to the scale to possibly challenge 'The Eagle' Khabib Nurmagomedov for the 155lbs strap. Nonetheless, it has been an excruciating week for Fight Fans across the globe. First, the long-awaited fight between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson was finally scheduled (for a 4th time) to happen. Of all freak accidents, Tony trips over an extension cord on a media set and injures his knee, leading to his withdrawal from the fight. *Cue Superman Music* Here comes the Featherweight champion Max 'Blessed' Holloway to the rescue! Sure it's not Ferguson but Holloway is a fan favorite and has a chance to become an (active) 2-division champion.  

As of this morning (April 6th, 2018), Holloway is declared "Medically unfit" to compete by doctors and the fight is called off. *Cue sad violin music*.  Luckily for Fight Fans, Dana was able to book Pettis v Nurmagomedov with the hour.

Sure he is the 11th ranked fighter in that division coming off of a loss, but its 'Showtime'! More importantly, it's MMA. In any other sport, when you are down by a lot, you have to score a lot. In MMA/Boxing, when you are down by a lot, it only takes ONE punch to change the game.

Update:

CONFIRMED: Paul Felder made weight, was offered the fight, but, the NYSAC is having issues with Nurmagomedov-Felder because he is unranked.

UNCONFIRMED: According to Ariel Helwani, a UFC official told him that Pettis will not be re-weighing as he refuses to fight. None of this is confirmed as it is all hearsay. But we will see within the next hour or two.

CONFIRMED: Khabib Nurmagomedov will battle Al Iaquinta for the belt. Iaquinta is ineligible to win the gold because he failed to make championship weight.

Chiesa/Pettis and Borg/Moreno

For any true fans and followers of the sport, these 2 fights had potential to be FOTN.

Michael Chiesa was coming off a loss from Kevin Lee. Prior to that, he was riding a 3-fight win streak and was looking to rebound his loss. Anthony Pettis, on the other hand, was fresh off of a loss to Dustin Poirier. One fight in which he fought his heart out. This was bound to be a battle of a BJJ master and striking genius that would have wowed the crowd. Unfortunately, Michael Chiesa was ruled out by doctors due to the laceration to his face from McGregor's attack.

Ray Borg and Brandon Moreno were also bound to throw down. Brandon Moreno, one of the most exciting Flyweights in the division, full of potential, was ready to prove himself against Ray Borg. Once again, due to Conor's attack, Borg began to experience issues with his eyeball due to particles of glass and eventually had to call the fight off.

Conor McGregor

After the attack, Dana White posted a video claiming to have put McGregor under arrest. McGregor's jet was grounded and he was not allowed to leave the State of New York. Dana White went on to say it was, "the most disgusting thing that has ever happened" to the UFC.

Late last night (April 5th, 2018), turned himself into the NYPD's 78th precinct. McGregor was arrested and charged with three counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of felony criminal mischief. 

Early this morning, McGregor was spotted being escorted to a vehicle. No comments were made. More is to come.

Click here to see McGregor's mugshot.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, this is the craziest week in UFC History. After all of that, what do you think should happen Fight Fam?

Will McGregor/Khabib ever happen?