Conor McGregors road to UFC glory stumbles as opponent pulls out

IRISH fighting phenomenon Conor McGregor’s history making career suffered a significant, though temporary, blow as Brazillian UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos pulled out of their highly anticipated March matchup due to a broken foot.

The lightweight title was on the line for their March 5 bout in Las Vegas and the governing body of the UFC is now on the lookout for a substitute although it will be tough to find a serious contender willing to risk reputation and limb on such short notice. 

McGregor is the current UFC featherweight champion coming off a defining 13 second knockout of highly respected Brazillian Jose Aldo in December. Aldo, who was riding high on a decade long undefeated streak, has reportedly declined the opportunity for a quick revenge. 

Winning the lightweight title on top of his featherweight honours would have seen the 27-year-old Dubliner make UFC history as the first man to hold belts in different weight classes concurrently. 

McGregor has had bad luck in the past with opponents pulling out, Aldo himself withdrew from their originally planned summer bout with just 11 days to go. 

On the same card, Holly Holm, who destroyed the widely acclaimed poster girl of the sport Ronda Rousey last year, will take on fellow American Miesha Tate for the women’s bantamweight title.