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Conor McGregor to be stripped of UFC title

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Over the last 15 months, Conor McGregor has made more money than he ever imagined thanks to the build up to, and his actual fight with, boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr.

But what McGregor hasn’t done over the last 15 months is compete in UFC, which is still his day job, and that inactivity will cost him his championship.

Dana White told TMZ Sports that McGregor will be stripped of his UFC lightweight title.

White was asked about the upcoming fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson at UFC 223. The bout was to be for Ferguson’s interim lightweight title, but White said three different times, “That fight will be for the title.”

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White wouldn’t let on as to when he will officially strip McGregor of his title, but he said that the Irishman understands the business.

“Is he upset? Oh, Conor understands. … The division has to go on and the business has to go on,” he said.

White also said he would like to see McGregor fight the winner of Ferguson and Nurmagomedov, but in all honesty, he just wants to see McGregor fight in UFC against anyone — even if it’s a rematch with Mayweather.

The UFC president said if there is to be a Part II to “The Money Fight,” it must take place in an octagon.

Do you think stripping Conor McGregor of his title is the right call?

“The only way a rematch makes sense in that fight is in the UFC … We’re talking [to Mayweather’s camp]. Al Haymon [Mayweather’s manager] and I have a very good relationship. We always talk. So we’ll see,” he said.

White also said Mayweather shouldn’t have to worry about a paycheck from the potential fight but instead “should be worried about his skills.”

Any McGregor fight might just be a fantasy, as White suggested he could be done competing for good: “With that kind of money, Conor might never come back.”

McGregor never made more than $3.5 million for any of his 10 UFC fights and then made over $100 million in his one boxing fight. He got a taste of first class in his boxing debut, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he has no desire to move back to coach and return to the octagon.

Someone who also believes that McGregor is done in UFC is one of the competitors for McGregor’s title at UFC 223. Nurmagomedov, the No. 2 UFC lightweight contender, spoke to TMZ last week and surmised that McGregor is done in UFC.

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“When’s the last time Conor competed in MMA?” Nurmagomedov said. “Long time? He’s a boxing guy. …

“I don’t think he’s gonna come back.”

UFC 223 will be held on April 7 at the Barclays Center in New York.

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Ross Kelly has been a sportswriter since 2009.
Ross Kelly has been a sportswriter since 2009 and previously worked for ESPN, CBS and STATS Inc. A native of Louisiana, Ross now resides in Houston.
Location
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