With Tony Ferguson now out of his highly anticipated title fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov, some fight fans are curious as to why UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor was not offered as a short notice replacement. Now UFC President Dana White has come forward with an answer.
UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov were initially set to face off for the undisputed title in the main event of UFC 223. However, Ferguson has since torn his LCL.
UFC 223 makes for the fourth time a fight between Ferguson and Nurmagomedov has been cancelled. Now UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is moving up in weight to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov in the night’s main event.
The two fighters are now set to compete for the undisputed UFC lightweight title. Ferguson and McGregor are to be stripped of their titles as soon as the first punch is thrown.
Speaking to ESPN, Dana White recently revealed that Conor McGregor was not even offered a replacement spot for UFC 223.
“I don’t think Conor McGregor could make the weight on six days’ notice. That’s a tough weight cut for him. And Conor is not the guy I want to throw in as a late replacement fighter. He’s a guy I want to make a fight with and have the right amount of time to promote the fight.
“I think Conor could return in September, and it could be against one of these guys.”
