Conor McGregor stripped of UFC lightweight belt by Dana White as 2018 return to octagon is confirmed
McGregor left fuming by decision with title now on the line this weekend but he could get chance to win it back
UFC president Dana White claims Conor McGregor will “100 per cent” fight in the UFC this year despite stripping the Irishman of his lightweight belt.
But McGregor is not taking the decision lightly and blasted on Twitter: “You’s’ll [sic] strip me of nothing you’s do nothing c***s.”
The superstar hasn’t fought in MMA since UFC 205 in November 2016 when he defeated Eddie Alvarez to capture the lightweight title at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
And the belt is now up for grabs when Khabib Nurmagomedov and Max Holloway battle it out at UFC 223 in New York this Sunday.
White confirmed: “We’re not stripping [interim champ] Tony Ferguson. He isn’t being stripped. The only one losing a belt here is Conor. These two are fighting for the belt.
“The interim these two were supposed to fight for, fight doesn’t happen, now one of these guys will be the champion. Tony is still the number one contender.”
But White claims McGregor will soon be back in the fold as he prepares for a spectacular return to the MMA scene.
White said: “Conor McGregor is 100 per cent coming back this year. He will fight this year. And we’ll see how things play out, and we’ll go from there.”
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In the meantime, McGregor has been keeping busy by blasting Ferguson after he pulled out of this weekend’s major event with a knee problem.
This prompted an angry response from Ferguson, who was due to fight Nurmagomedov for the title McGregor is being stripped of.
He tweeted: "Can’t Pull Out If You Never Fight McNuggets- Stay In Your Lane McDucker, Good Job. Staying Ready."
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