Conor McGregor on the verge of being stripped of his title, Dana White reveals
CONOR MCGREGOR is on the brink of being stripped of the UFC lightweight title.
By Chisanga Malata
12:21, Mon, Jan 15, 2018 | UPDATED: 12:51, Mon, Jan 15, 2018
Conor McGregor, UFC lightweight champion
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McGregor, 29, has yet to defend the lightweight title he claimed in the main event of UFC 205, much to the frustration of many in the 155lbs division.
Fourteen months have passed since that historic night at Madison Square Garden and the Irishman has shown no signs of returning to the Octagon.
A few weeks ago, UFC president Dana White revealed that the Irishman was planning to make his long-awaited return to the cage in the summer.
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"I don't think Conor wants to fight until August," White told Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole.
"If he waits until August or September, that's around two years since the belt has been defended and that can't happen."
If McGregor does indeed plan on returning to the Octagon in the summer, White has suggested the promotion will relieve him of the title and book a lightweight championship fight between interim 155lbs king Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, a bout he says is currently in the works.
Shirtless Richard Branson squares off with Conor McGregor
If (McGregor) comes back in September, that's almost two years (since his last MMA fight). That can't happen.
Dana White on Conor McGregor
"If (McGregor) comes back in September, that's almost two years (since his last MMA fight)," White said after UFC Fight Night 124. "That can't happen. It's not fair to everybody else.
"Love Conor, respect Conor, love everything that he's done for this company. Everybody knows that. I say it all the time.
"(But) the belt would have to move on. You do Khabib vs. Tony; we're working on that fight now. If and when Conor comes back, he would get the first crack at the title."
Dana White has suggested that Conor McGregor could be stripped of his title
White is keen to see McGregor return to the UFC as soon as possible but it more concerned about getting the lightweight division moving again.
"I want Conor to start training again and come back and defend his title. … We haven't committed to a time yet, but as long as Conor wants to fight still, Conor and I always get it done," he added. "You know how Conor is.
"Conor wants to do things on his time and when he wants to do it. That's fine.
Tony Ferguson (L) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (R) will fight the LW title if Conor McGregor is stripped
"I always say I respect the kid so much for what he accomplished and what he's brought, but if he's not ready to go – the belt, I think he wants to come back in September.
"That'll be almost two years, and that's just not fair to the rest of the guys in the division.
"Let these guys fights, and when Conor decides to come back, and if he decides to come back, then he would get the first crack at the title."
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