What Does a Loss at UFC 202 Mean For Conor?

By Muk

Can Conor McGregor's ego, and superstardom survive another lose to Nate Diaz this weekend? That's a million dollar question, literally. As of now Conor is the biggest star in the UFC, especially since Ronda became a shut-in after he loss to Holly Holm, but with the recent loss to Diaz, his stock took a hit. Now this is the fight game, no one can go untouchable forever, and someone who takes any and every fight likeConor should be cut some slack, because he always shows up and he always comes to kill, but I can't help but wonder the damage a second Nate Diaz loss would do to his ability to sell fights and strike fear into his opponents hearts. Conor will go back down to 145 pounds to defend his belt, win or lose this weekend, where he will face Interim champion Jose Aldo, the man who held the belt since the UFC introduced it in 2010. It took Conor under 30 seconds to erase that 10 year undefeated win streak, with one patented left hand. It's no question Nate has always been a star, but Conor did help launch him into the mainstream because all those who hated Conor and loved to see him lose, backed Nate.
I personally, from a Conor McGregor fan, do feel he can rebound from this, because he is fighting a bigger man in a weight class he never has before, but to the public eye, he cannot lose this fight. He will be crucified and hated, and it's his own fault. He can talk the talk, and we know that, but he needs to walk the walk. This is the biggest fight in Conor's career, and a win can set him back on track for his quest to, "not just take part, but take over". It's do or die for The Notorious in the public & media's eye. I know Conor can handle the loss and come back strong, but in a world where he has created an untouchable, King like persona, it will not be a matter of his own mind, but the minds of the fans.