DANA White has refused to confirm that Conor McGregor has been stripped of the UFC lightweight title – yet also claims that the winner of Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223 will be the 155-pound champion.
White confirmed that Ferguson and Nurmagomedov would meet as the main event of a Brooklyn card on April 8 (Australian time), with a women’s strawweight title rematch between Rose Namajunas and Joanna Jędrzejczyk the co-main.
White was appearing at a press conference with the fighters and introduced Ferguson, currently the interim champ, as “the champion” – so was immediately asked if he had an update on McGregor’s status.
“I have no update. The winner of this fight will be the champion,” White said. “We’ll see what happens [with McGregor].
“The division has to go on.”
The declaration left MMA’s top reporters in total confusion.
Former champion Eddie Alvarez claimed that McGregor must have been stripped, with the UFC leaving the announcement for a more strategic time.
White hinted that McGregor may then return to face the winner of Ferguson-Nurmagomedov, yet again failed to clarify his status.
Ferguson said McGregor had turned down a unification match.
“They offered me Conor – Conor didn’t want to fight,” he said. “This is the real belt.
“I am the champ. Conor McNuggets is nothing, he’s lost his sauce. And this is defend or vacate. This is right here, I’m defending my belt.”
McGregor has never defended the lightweight belt he won at UFC 205 over Alvarez in November 2016, having only fought Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match last year. His UFC return may not be until August-September, White has said – if he comes back at all after an incredible $ 100 million windfall from the Mayweather fight.
White said later of Ferguson-Nurmagomedov: “No, it’s undisputed, I said it would be. I said the guy who wins this fight will be the champion.
“You will see what happens. Just relax.
“They’re going to fight for the title. I said that Conor can’t hold up the title for two years.
“Did I say he [McGregor] has been stripped of the title? Next question please.”
White has also confirmed Max Holloway vs Frankie Edgar for the featherweight title as the main event for UFC 222.
