The best laid plans, and all that. Conor McGregor's ambitions of being the first man in UFC history to hold belts at two different weight classes look to be in tatters.
Ahead of the fight yesterday, Dana White predicted that - assuming McGregor, as the 1/4 favourite, beat Nate Diaz - the Dubliner's days as featherweight were over, and would likely stay at welterweight for a UFC 200 showdown with Robbie Lawler.
Now, however, in the immediate aftermath of that shock defeat to Diaz, White has changed his tune, and now admits that McGregor will likley be denied his welterweight ambitions. White was speaking on Fox Sports 1, and in response to Edgar asking White where his title shot stood, White admitted that McGregor would likely be sticking at featherweight.
What a spot for Edgar here. He gets a whole post-fight show on fs1 to campaign for his title shot.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 6, 2016
Edgar asks DW straight up if he gets the next shot. Dana says he doesn't know what Conor will do but he thinks it should be 145.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 6, 2016
Dana White says that McGregor going back down to defend the 145lb belt probably makes the most sense next, against either Aldo or Edgar.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) March 6, 2016
Dana White also says that McGregor-Lawler was likely the UFC 200 headliner if McGregor won tonight.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) March 6, 2016