Five Rounds: Stephan Bonnar talks all things UFC 202
— -- Each week, ESPN.com writer Brett Okamoto provides his take on the hottest topics in the world of mixed martial arts.
This week, Okamoto squares off with UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar?to debate all things UFC 202 ahead of Saturday's pay-per-view card from Las Vegas. Bonnar (15-9), 39, retired following his 2014 loss to Tito Ortiz?under the Bellator MMA banner. He is the host of "The Final Round with Stephan Bonnar" podcast.?
1.? How much star power does Conor McGregor lose if he suffers a second consecutive loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 202 ?
Bonnar: I don't get it. I mean, he's such a big star and it's one thing to have your big star get the s--- kicked out of him once, but why do it again right away? It would be one thing if the fight was close but Conor is a 145-pound fighter. Diaz is a big guy. Conor got full extension on his punches, hit him with his best shots and Diaz laughed at him. I don't get it. Yeah he's gonna lose star power. Honestly, I don't see this fight playing out too much different than the first. Conor's got a big following in Ireland and people can say he was fighting out of his weight class, which is true if you look at what he's done at 145. I'd say he'll lose about 20 percent of his star power but it's recoverable. He'll lose it short term but not long term.
Okamoto:?Keep in mind: McGregor's star power could diminish by half and he'd still have more than just about anyone on the UFC roster. So, take this with a grain of salt -- but yes, his star power would take a significant hit. Honestly, it shouldn't. Casual fans seem to hold MMA fighters to an impossibly high standard. Like Bonnar said, McGregor is fighting outside his weight class and taking risks. Whatever happens, he's still the featherweight champion of the world. He still knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds! Losing to Diaz twice shouldn't kill all the momentum he built but the reality is that it would to a certain degree. Like Bonnar though, I do think any star power McGregor might lose, he'd have an opportunity to get it back.
2.? Win or lose, McGregor's next fight should be a featherweight title unification bout against Aldo. Agree or disagree ?
Related Stories
ABC News Live