UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor is now on a deadline. It looks like the negotiations between the world famous Irishman and the UFC are not going well. Another interesting twist in the story…
Since Khabib Nurmagomedov’s 25th straight win at UFC 219, everyone has been debating the state of the 155-pound division. ‘The Eagle’ set himself up for a huge fight with his dominant win over Edson Barboza. Problem is, nobody knows who that will be against.
With Conor McGregor, the current champion, in the wind, there’s no firm answer to the question Khabib poses. Interim champion Tony Ferguson should indeed be next in line, but where would that leave Khabib?
Currently involved in an ongoing standoff with the UFC, McGregor has demanded a promoter’s stake in the company. Perhaps the Fertitta brothers would have been receptive, but the WME-IMG bosses are apparently not so keen.
The updates regarding McGregor vs. the UFC have come thick and fast since the weekend.
Stripped Again?
Looking back to December 2017, McGregor’s coach said the Irish star would be out until at least June 2018. Unfortunately for McGregor and his legion of fans, Dana White says that won’t be soon enough to keep his title.
Speaking with Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports, White says ‘The Notorious’ has until March to get back to work or he’ll lose his gold:
“I don’t think he wants to fight until August, but if he waits until August or September, that’s around two years since the belt has been defended and that can’t happen,” said White.”
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March, or Walk
“As long as Conor is willing to fight by March, we could do Khabib versus Tony and then the winner fights Conor for the title,” said White. “Or, if Conor wants to sit out until next fall, then we’d have to make Khabib versus Tony for the title, not the interim title.”
“I’ve never been afraid to pay Conor McGregor money,” said White. “Conor brings money in. We’ve laid out a really nice offer for him and he’s a smart kid, I think we’ll figure it out.”
McGregor’s demands for equity started coming after his UFC 205 win over Eddie Alvarez. Whether or not these requests have been taken into consideration is not fully known, but White had previously stated it wouldn’t happen.
“If Conor McGregor fights next year, that’ll be awesome. If Conor McGregor doesn’t fight, the UFC is going to go on. I’ve been hearing this since 2003. What are you going to do when Chuck Liddell’s gone? What are you going to do when Georges St-Pierre leaves? You’re in big trouble when Anderson Silva’s gone! The list goes on and on. Ronda Rousey.,,”
