Conor McGregor's coach makes big statement on potential title stripping
CONOR MCGREGOR's head coach doesn't know if 'The Notorious' has been stripped of his lightweight title.
Conor McGregor celebrates his UFC 194 victory over Jose Aldo
Earlier this week, a report from Russia claimed the UFC brass have decided to relieve McGregor of the 155lbs title due to his long hiatus from the Octagon.
It was also claimed that interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson would fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the undisputed title in the main event of UFC 223, which takes place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on April 7.
UFC president Dana White confirmed Ferguson vs Nurmagomedov during an appearance on the Toucher and Rich Show on Wednesday afternoon but stopped short of revealing if the bout will be for the lightweight title.
“That fight is going to happen,” White said. “It will happen.”
A press conference for the UFC’s third pay-per-view card of the year will be held later today, in which White is expected to answer the question on MMA fans' lips across the world: Has McGregor been stripped of his title?
That very question was put to Kavanagh yesterday evening during a Facebook live interview to promote Wimp 2 Warrior.
Shirtless Richard Branson squares off with Conor McGregor
Is it an interim title fight or is it a belt fight? I don’t know.
And the SBG Ireland head coach revealed he's also in the dark about the whole situation.
“I’m hearing this at the same time as everyone else,” Kavanagh said. “I see there is a press conference that will happen tomorrow.
“I think Tony and Khabib, or else just Khabib, is being interviewed about the fight that Dana announced in April, which was news to me as well.
Interim UFC lightweight champion (R) will fight Khabib Nurmagomedov (L) at UFC 223
John Kavanagh (R) doesn't know if Conor McGregor has been stripped of the lightweight title
“Maybe they’re going to say it at that. Is it an interim title fight or is it a belt fight? I don’t know.”
McGregor, 21-3, hasn't set foot inside the Octagon since defeating Eddie Alvarez in the main event of UFC 205.
That victory saw the Irishman become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two titles simultaneously.