Dana White Claims Conor McGregor Wanted To Relinquish Title, McGregor Responds

A little over a week ago, Conor McGregor was the UFC Lightweight Champion and the UFC Featherweight Champion, but he is no longer the featherweight champion after he was stripped of the belt by UFC President Dana White, whom also claims that it was McGregor’s idea to give up the strap.

"Do you think I just did this? This was Conor’s decision," said White to Yahoo Sports. “This was my way to fix the logjam. I wanted Aldo to fight Holloway for the belt, but he needed more time. So I looked at it and I said, well, it makes sense to make Aldo the champion and then have Holloway and Pettis fight for the interim title, and when Jose’s ready, barring any crazy injuries, the winner can fight him.”

Jose Aldo is now a two time UFC Featherweight Champion after he was awarded McGregor’s relinquished championship, Max Holloway and former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis will battle for the vacant interim featherweight title at UFC 206 on December 10, Aldo will meet the interim featherweight champion in 2017 at a yet to be announced event.

Conor McGregor, however, didn't seem to agree with Dana White. At a Q&A session in Belfast, McGregor said he still has both titles, and is still two-division champion.

“I also have something going on with the UFC, they’re trying to strip me and I was like, ‘Well, I ain’t stripped. I still got that belt, that belt is still at home right now’. I’m still the two-way world champion, someone has to come take that from me. I see articles, I see stuff online, but I don’t see the belt not in my presence. The belt is right there, there’s two world titles at my home," said McGregor (h/t MMA Fighting for the transcription)

McGregor will not be competing himself until May 2017 at the least due to the impending birth of his first child.