Landmark events in professional sports often carry immense pressure, and few promotions understand this better than the Ultimate Fighting Championship. UFC 200, slated for July 9, 2016, was intended to be a monumental milestone, building on the success of previous centennial cards like UFC 100. The expectation was clear: a card stacked with the sport`s biggest names, culminating in a blockbuster main event. However, the path to UFC 200 proved to be anything but smooth, culminating in a series of unexpected shifts and, perhaps predictably, a moment of characteristic promotional absurdity from UFC President Dana White.
The Pressure Cooker of UFC 200
The initial plan for UFC 200`s headliner involved the sport`s then-biggest star, Conor McGregor, in a highly anticipated rematch against Nate Diaz. This pairing generated significant buzz, promising a massive commercial success. Yet, promotional friction led to McGregor`s controversial removal from the card due to issues surrounding media obligations. This sudden change left a gaping hole at the top of the event.
The UFC quickly pivoted, booking a rematch between heated rivals Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier for the vacant main event slot. This seemed a fitting replacement, pitting two of the era`s top pound-for-pound fighters against each other. However, the chaos wasn`t over. Just days before the event, Jones was pulled from the fight due to a potential anti-doping policy violation. With mere days to adapt, the promotion faced an unprecedented challenge to salvage its landmark show.
Enter the Web-Slinger: Dana White`s Unexpected Pitch
Amidst the very real and significant operational challenges presented by these cancellations, Dana White, known for his sometimes unconventional public persona, injected a moment of pure, unfiltered promotional bizarre. Taking to social media, White playfully floated a truly unique hypothetical opponent for Conor McGregor: none other than the fictional superhero Spider-Man.
This pitch, delivered with a clear wink, referenced a widely shared viral video featuring a costumed street performer dressed as Spider-Man demonstrating surprising grappling prowess against opponents dressed as Batman and Robin. In a landscape scrambling for a McGregor opponent, White`s tongue-in-cheek suggestion of matching `The Notorious` against this web-slinging, costumed anomaly highlighted both the desperation for a compelling narrative and White`s penchant for spectacle, even in jest. It was a moment that perfectly captured the surreal tension of the UFC 200 build-up – immense pressure coexisting with moments of pure, unadulterated silliness.
Coach Kavanagh`s Hilarious Veto
The response to this mock superfight proposal came swiftly and with equally dry wit from McGregor`s long-time head coach, John Kavanagh. Known for his thoughtful approach to mixed martial arts, Kavanagh nevertheless embraced the absurdity of the scenario. When presented with the hypothetical prospect of McGregor facing Spider-Man, Kavanagh reportedly offered a simple, deadpan refusal: he would decline the cornering assignment. His reasoning? A mock concern about cornering against “New York`s finest,” a nod to Spider-Man`s traditional stomping grounds.
This brief, comical exchange served as a bizarre footnote in the chaotic lead-up, providing a moment of levity amidst the logistical nightmare. It underscored the unique dynamic between the often high-stakes, intense world of professional fighting and the moments of genuine, relatable humor that can arise, even from its top figures.
The Reality vs. The Ridiculous
Ultimately, the Spider-Man versus McGregor superfight remained, of course, firmly in the realm of comic books and internet memes. UFC 200 proceeded with Miesha Tate vs. Amanda Nunes elevated to the main event – a fight that resulted in a significant title change and marked Nunes` rise to stardom. Despite the rocky road and the absence of its originally planned headliners, the event was a financial success and remains a historically significant card.
Years later, the story of UFC 200`s turbulent build-up is often recounted, a prime example of the unpredictable nature of fight promotion. And while the actual fights delivered, the brief, hilarious interlude involving Dana White, Conor McGregor, and a hypothetical showdown with a web-slinging superhero stands as a peculiar, yet amusing, reminder of the pressures and the personalities that define the sport at its highest level.
