If in doubt, make a fight for the interim belt. UFC booking 101. With Daniel Cormier out of UFC 206, and Rumble Johnson apparently wanting to wait for him to get healthy rather than fight a replacement opponent, the UFC needs a new main event that has some gravitas for the pay-per-view going down in two weeks in Toronto. So, throw a meaningless interim title belt into the mix to try to trick people into thinking it’s important.
As per Ariel Helwani, here’s the new plan for UFC 206:
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
But wait, you say. There already is a holder of the fake title known as the interim UFC Featherweight Champion – Jose Aldo. Helwani has more:
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
Yes, what about Mr. Conor McGregor, the first man in UFC history to hold two weight class belts simultaneously?
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
I have a feeling we all know how McGregor would respond to that.
More news as it becomes available, Manifestors. Keep it locked.
UPDATE: Holloway vs Pettis for the interim title has now been made official.
UPDATE #2: McGregor has “relinquished” his featherweight title, making Jose Aldo the official featherweight champion.
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