UFC 200, held on July 9, 2016, was intended to be a landmark moment, building upon the legacy of previous centennial events like UFC 100. The anticipation for a stacked card featuring the sport`s biggest stars was immense. At the center of global attention was, of course, Conor McGregor, whose participation in some form felt almost mandatory for an event of this magnitude.
As speculation mounted regarding potential headliners and matchups, UFC President Dana White engaged in a moment of levity on social media. Referencing a peculiar viral video—which depicted an impromptu, somewhat surreal street fight where a participant dressed as Spider-Man demonstrated surprisingly effective grappling against opponents in other costumes—White posted a humorous suggestion. His pitch? That this unlikely “Spider-Man street fighter” could be a potential opponent for `The Notorious` at the milestone event. It was a clearly facetious idea, born more from internet culture than serious matchmaking strategy.
The playful exchange continued when McGregor`s long-time head coach, John Kavanagh, responded with a deadpan remark that perfectly matched the absurdity. Kavanagh jokingly stated that he would refuse to corner his fighter against the web-slinging vigilante, adding another layer of humor to the hypothetical scenario. This brief, amusing interaction provided a lighthearted counterpoint to the otherwise high-pressure environment surrounding the planning of UFC 200.
However, the actual journey to UFC 200 proved to be far less amusing and significantly more complicated than any superhero fantasy. The event faced substantial real-world turbulence. Conor McGregor was ultimately removed from the card following disagreements regarding his media obligations. The planned replacement main event, a highly anticipated light heavyweight title rematch between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, also disintegrated just days before the event. Jones was flagged by the anti-doping agency, resulting in his removal.
These unexpected and dramatic cancellations left the UFC scrambling for a headliner with virtually no time to spare. Consequently, the women`s bantamweight championship bout between Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes was elevated to the main event slot. While the fight itself delivered a memorable outcome with Nunes claiming the title in impressive fashion, the card`s chaotic build-up and last-minute changes became a significant part of its story.
In retrospect, the brief, bizarre joke about Conor McGregor facing a costumed crime-fighter stands in ironic contrast to the genuine, unpredictable chaos that actually unfolded. The path to UFC 200 demonstrated that sometimes, the challenges posed by promotional disputes, fighter availability, and real-world issues are far more difficult to navigate than even the most outlandish comic book crossover concept. It serves as a peculiar footnote in the history of a truly unforgettable, albeit turbulent, UFC event.
Rupert Hartwell