Dana White: Conor McGregor Will Not Be Stripped Of Title

Dana White had previously stated that reigning featherweight champion Conor McGregor would be dropping back down to 145-pounds to defend his title after his majority decision victory over Nate Diaz at August 20’s UFC 202 from Las Vegas.

In the aftermath of the bout, however, McGregor said there are many options on the table, and he’d have to decide what’s next for him. Recently speaking on the Irishman’s future, White said that he won’t be stripped of his title, although he will have to make a decision. That decision could very well force him to vacate his strap:

“He’s not going to get stripped. He’s going to make a decision,” White told NBC Sports Radio recently. “”He knows the Nate Diaz fight isn’t the fight to make right now. He has to either defend his title or give it up and decide what he wants to do next. We’ll get that figured out with him.”

Although a trilogy bout with Diaz appears to be inevitable, White has made it clear that it won’t be happening immediately. With that being said, the only possibilities for McGregor seem to be a rematch with interim 145-pound champ Jose Aldo, who McGregor knocked out in 13 seconds last December, or a lightweight title fight with 155-pound boss Eddie Alvarez.

Alvarez recently won the strap with an impressive first round knockout over Rafael dos Anjos last July, and said that he was interested in facing the winner of Diaz vs. McGregor II. McGregor’s longtime coach John Kavanagh also said he’d like to see the “Notorious” one square off with Alvarez next.

In your opinion, what fight makes the most sense for McGregor?