What was the biggest story of the year?

With 2019 in the books, it is time to look back at the year and ask: What was the biggest story of the year?

What was the biggest story of the year?

Frank Hyden MMATorch Columnist

Probably the deal the UFC struck to have ESPN be the exclusive pay-per-view distributor for them. I would argue that they’re going the opposite way they should by embracing more of the pay-tv model, but it gives them money and stability so they don’t care. It would be nice if it gave the fighters more of those things as well, but maybe down the road some more?

Michael Hiscoe MMATorch Columnist

The ongoing self-destruction of Conor McGregor is the biggest story of 2019 and will likely bleed into 2020 and beyond. Between some smashing a fan’s cell phone, and punching a bar patron, McGregor has kept pretty active despite not seeing the inside of a UFC cage. Couple that with his racially charged back and forth with Khabib Nurmagomedov earlier in the year and of course the two sexual assault investigations that remain looming over him, UFC is sending a figurative ticking time bomb out in front of the press and into the cage to start the new year.

Robert Vallejos MMATorch Managing Editor

Although it has yet to manifest, I get the feeling that 2019 was the year that MMA fans fell out of love with Conor McGregor. While I am sure that headlining fight with Donald Cerrone will be a massive success, we cannot ignore the fact that mask is off. In the past there was always a way to McGregor-splain away his behavior, in 2019, with multiple sexual assault investigations underway, it is impossible to pretend to enjoy anything he is involved with. Weather he becomes MMA’s version of his former boxing opponent, or he fades in obscurity, 2019 will be remembered as the year that perception forever changed.

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