There was a belief that Conor McGregor would relinquish his lightweight title after he beat Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 - that all the 28-year-old wanted was to drape both the 145lb and 155lb belts over his shoulder and that would be it.
Two weeks on from Madison Square Garden and McGregor is still the UFC featherweight champion. That is despite a lingering feeling that he will never fight at that weight class again. It's nearly a year since he KO'd Jose Aldo after just 13 seconds at UFC 194 and he has never defended the belt.
McGregor's reign as the featherweight title holder could soon be coming and end. According to MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani, should the UFC set up an interim title fight between Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis, Jose Aldo - the current interim champion - will be installed as the new featherweight champion.
As of now, plan is Anthony Pettis vs. Max Holloway for the interim 145 lbs. title happening 12/10 in Toronto. That's what the UFC wants.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 26, 2016
That's per multiple sources. Should they finalize it, & it's close, Jose Aldo would become the new 145 lbs champ. McGregor? That's, well...
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 26, 2016
Aldo claimed the interim title during the summer when he beat Frankie Edgar at UFC 200. He would, presumably, like to get another shot at McGregor and reclaim the belt he held for four and a half years in more orthodox fashion. But for the Brazilian, this would be a decent consolation prize.
UFC has been pushing to strip McGregor of the 145 title for some time. Legally, they can. Would be interesting to see how he responds.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 26, 2016
