Irish UFC champion Conor McGregor is back down to one belt after the UFC officially confirmed the decision to strip him of the featherweight title today.
McGregor became the first man to hold two belts in different weight divisions earlier this month, but his reign as featherweight champion is now officially ended.
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He hasn’t defended that title in 11 months and with McGregor unlikely to fight again until the mid part of next year, the UFC has ruled that the featherweight belt should be passed to someone else.
“Conor has to defend his title or make a decision to give it up—or whatever he wants to do. I’ve got to sit down and see what’s next,” said UFC President Dana White regarding the belt in August.
It has been reported that McGregor does not agree with the decision, but this result was seen as inevitable in the eyes of many.
To defend both belts McGregor would have needed to take on a significantly bigger fight load and jump back and forth between weight divisions, something that was never likely to be sustainable.
Still, McGregor can certainly be a bit of wildcard and if he feels aggrieved may do something unexpected, like his shock ‘retirement’ that saw him vacate the card for UFC200.
Jose Aldo will now become the undisputed holder of the title. McGregor will of course retain the lightweight belt, which he won against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205.
Anthony Pettis vs Max Holloway has been officially promoted to main event status at UFC206, after the planned light heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormeir and Anthony Johnson was put on hold due to Cormeir suffering an injury.
The Pettis versus Holloway fight will be a battle for the interim featherweight title, set to take place in Toronto on December 11 (AEDT).
Bones506
Roar Guru
Mcgregor did prove it was easy - for him. No one else has ever done it. BJ Penn and Couture have held 2 belts but at different times. I think it is even harder to do these days given how many fighters there are now and the skill level many have. I do not think you will see a two-weight belt champion again in a very long time. 155 is McGregors optimal weight. At 28 he has a lot of good years in him. He put Aldo away in 13 seconds - hardly something he would want to go back to. He is on too bigger and better things. Unsure who his next opponent will be but I expect it will be Diaz for the Title at 155 pounds. McGregor respects him and that is the big money fight right now. ' Whilst McGregor has fought Diaz at 170 pounds and won and whilst he talks about that weight I think it would be a mistake to test Woodley or Thompson - they are simply too big and fit at that weight. Even away from the Cage he is the biggest name in the fight game right now. That will not change.
bigJ
Guest
oh I agree totally it easy to be a bigger fighter in a small weight division then big middle of the range at a another but Mcgregor has proven that he can fight at 155 and should not have any problems defending his title at 155.
Gavin R
Guest
"Quite easy" is a cop out. The fact that he is the first person to hold two titles at the same time and one of three multi weight division champions says otherwise. Take nothing away from his achievement. Winning any title is extremely hard. Being a monstrous 145 pound fighter is more advantageous than being a middle of the pack 155'er. I know it has its disadvantages if you dont manage your cut properly (dehydration, fatigue etc) but he had it down effectively.
BigJ
Roar Guru
McGregor just proved that it's quite easy actually, plus it also depends on the weight of the fighter and if they are naturally suited to that weight. McGregor was too small at 145 he will profit much better from the 155 weight class
Gavin R
Guest
Its harder to move up a weight and win the title than it is to defend a belt.
BigJ
Roar Guru
yep move up in weight and go after the welterweight title, that will make things interesting, but correct decision but the UFC, but he should of immediately vacated the 145 after winning the 155 title. He reckons he could beat mayweather, he could not even defend one belt!! ha ha
Gavin R
Guest
Theres bigger money fights at lightweight. He's chasing the money and rightly so. You wont see him back at featherweight. This was always going to be the outcome
Bill
Guest
He looks so unhealthy at that weight. But wish he would defend it once.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Surely he knew this was coming. It's not like WWE, you have to be able to legitimately defend your belt, not leave it hanging for a year.
Riordan Lee
Editor
Correct decision, the show must go on.