Conor McGregor recently claimed a narrow victory against Nate Diaz in a rematch bout, avenging his only UFC defeat back in March. Now, a report from MMA Junkie reveals that McGregor must weigh in who his next opponent will be because the wrong decision could mean he will be stripped of his Featherweight Champion belt.
It is noted that back in December, McGregor defeated Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds, claiming the Featherweight championship but has not defended it ever since. Instead, he has moved up from the 145-limit, past the 155-pound Lightweight and gone up to the 170-pound Welterweight in order to fight Nate Diaz.
"Conor has to defend his title or make a decision to give it up -- or whatever he wants to do. If I were Conor, I'd defend my title," explained White.
When asked about the UFC's decision to force him to go back down to 145 and defend his title against Aldo, who is now the interim champion given that McGregor is at a higher weight division for the time being, he stated that it would be a big mistake if the belt was stripped and given back to Aldo.
"If they want to do that and want to give my belt to the guy I KO'd in 13 seconds and bury that division on the prelims or the UFC Fight Pass stuff, because that's what they're going to do, I mean, we'll see. How can they do that? What would that do to the division if the guy I KO'd in 13 seconds is the unified champion?" McGregor stated.
McGregor continued to explain that he is in good condition right now, having defeated Diaz and owning the Featherweight division belt. He also stated that if he and Diaz were to have a third match then it will be at the 155-pound Lightweight division, which would be fair given that for the previous fights it was McGregor who matched Diaz' division.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, White explained that at the moment a rematch with Diaz is off the table. The UFC wants McGregor to either fight Aldo or move to the Lightweight division and fight the Lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez.
