White: McGregor will give up a belt if he wins at MSG
If Conor McGregor makes history at UFC 205, his triumph will be short-lived.
Dana White confirmed late Monday the Irishman would not vacate the featherweight strap ahead of his title fight against lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at the November event. Now, the UFC president has reportedly revealed if McGregor becomes the first UFC fighter to simultaneously hold belts in two separate weight classes, he'll have to give one up.
"So this fight's coming up and he wants to try to gain both belts. He will give up one of the titles after that fight in New York," White told FOX Sports' Damon Martin.
McGregor became the undisputed 145-pound king at UFC 194, where he knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds - he has yet to defend the belt.
White had recently alleged "The Notorious" was rehabbing a foot injury that would keep him from competing at the promotion's inaugural New York card.
McGregor convinced the UFC president he was in fighting shape and to book his dance with Alvarez.
"After the Nate Diaz fight, he injured his foot and the doctor basically said there's no real damage there, it's an old injury but you need to stay off your foot for a few weeks," White said. "Conor and I were going back and forth about the foot and I said 'listen you're not a doctor' and he told me 'I know my body better than you do.' So I'll give him that and we made the fight. It's the reason we all love Conor McGregor."
As for Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was spurned as Alvarez's first challenger in favor of McGregor, White announced on ESPN's SportsCenter a bout between "The Eagle" and Michael Johnson is in the works for UFC 205, but has not been finalized.
"Khabib was also supposed to get a title fight at 155 pounds," White said, according to MMA Fighting's Marc Raimondi. "Khabib called and says, ‘Alright, I get it. Conor is getting this fight? Put me on New York, too.' So, he wants to fight Michael Johnson."
Johnson upset Dustin Poirier with a first-round knockout at UFC Fight Night 94 just 10 days ago.
The potential matchup's fate, which both fighters have expressed interest in, could be addressed at Tuesday's press conference at Madison Square Garden, home of UFC 205.