UFC president Dana White confirmed this week that the UFC 223 main event will be against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.
In the absence of Conor McGregor, the UFC has implemented an interim title for their lightweight division that Ferguson won with his latest win over Kevin Lee.
With the UFC’s seemingly firm stance that Conor McGregor would get stripped if not returned to action by March, many expected the UFC to announce that the Irish Star would no longer be champion, and that the upcoming fight between Khabib and Ferguson would indeed be for the undisputed belt.
This however does not seem to be the case.
According to Sport’s Illustrated reporter Mike Dyce, The UFC has confirmed the upcoming fight will be for the interim world title. At least, that’s what they’re being told at present.
Check it out:
Well the UFC just announced a press conference this Friday with Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and in the process announced that the INTERIM champ will defend his interim belt at #UFC223 in Brooklym.
Well the UFC just announced a press conference this Friday with Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and in the process announced that the INTERIM champ will defend his interim belt at #UFC223 in Brooklym.
— Mike Dyce (@mikedyce) January 18, 2018
UFC 223 is expected to go down on April 7, at a yet to be announced venue in Brooklyn, New York.
This proclamation could change in the coming days, even in the coming minutes, depending on what Conor McGregor does with his world title. But as it sits right now, it appears that McGregor will still be champion.
Stay tuned.
