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What’s the story?
In an interview with Toucher & Rich, UFC President Dana White confirmed Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov for UFC 223.
Additionally, White alluded that Conor McGregor could be stripped of his UFC Lightweight title over the next few days. White emphasized that McGregor cannot just hold the entire UFC Lightweight division hostage, and therefore, could be stripped of his title.
In case you didn’t know…
Conor McGregor won the UFC Lightweight Championship back in November of 2016.
McGregor hasn’t competed in the UFC ever since, with his only professional fight coming against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the sport of boxing last year—one that McGregor lost by way of TKO.
The heart of the matter
Dana White asserted that given how Conor McGregor isn’t providing the UFC a definitive timeline as to when he’ll defend his UFC Lightweight Championship, the UFC has no option but to strip him of the title.
Furthermore, White confirmed that Interim UFC Lightweight Champion Tony ‘El Cucuy’ Ferguson will face Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223 in April of this year. White reiterated his respect for McGregor but added—
“There are a lot of guys that I have to deal with every day who aren't worth the aggravation. This kid (McGregor) is worth the aggravation. I have so much respect for him, in what he's accomplished and what he's done. If he wants to ride off into the sunset with his money for the rest of his life then I don't blame him, but if he wants to come back and fight, we'll get him back in; he just can't hold the division hostage for almost two years."
White also insinuated that if McGregor decides to return to the UFC, he’d get an immediate title shot against the winner of the Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov matchup.
What’s next?
UFC 223 will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on April 7th.
Although Conor McGregor still holds the Undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship, MMA experts believe that he’s likely to be stripped of the title over the next few days, and UFC 223’s main event—Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov—shall be promoted as a fight for the Undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship.
Author’s take
Well, should Conor McGregor be stripped off his belt, Tony Ferguson would automatically be promoted as the Undisputed UFC 155-pound Champ…which wouldn’t really sit well with the former.
Regardless of whether or not McGregor ever returns, Ferguson taking on Khabib is a fight fan’s dream matchup. Speaking of which, perhaps the winner of the fight could impress McGregor enough so as to motivate him to lace up the MMA gloves sooner rather than later.
