He refuses to defend it, so yeah ..should have been stripped a long time ago if there was any integrity in the sport.
Guess he's staying out until at least September
It'll be almost 2 years by Sept since Conor fought in MMA. He might be super rusty when he comes back, his grappling especially. Conor has a background in striking but not grappling, he learned it in short span which most likely he'll forget a lot faster, the more he stays inactive.
Speaking on the Toucher and Rich radio show on Wednesday, White said that the fight between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov is going to take place. In addition, White sounds like he does have plans of stripping the belt from McGregor so the lightweight division can move along.
“He can’t hold up the title, can’t hold up the whole division,” White said (transcribed by Ryan Harkness for Uproxx). “There’s a lot of guys that I have to deal with every day that aren’t worth the aggravation. This kid is worth the aggravation and I have so much respect for him, what he’s accomplished, what he’s done. If he wants to ride off into the sunset with his money for the rest of his life, I don’t blame him. And if he wants to come back and fight, we’ll get him back in. He just can’t hold the division hostage.”
“He can’t hold up the title, can’t hold up the whole division,” White said (transcribed by Ryan Harkness for Uproxx). “There’s a lot of guys that I have to deal with every day that aren’t worth the aggravation. This kid is worth the aggravation and I have so much respect for him, what he’s accomplished, what he’s done. If he wants to ride off into the sunset with his money for the rest of his life, I don’t blame him. And if he wants to come back and fight, we’ll get him back in. He just can’t hold the division hostage.”
I really don't see the harm from the UFC's perspective of stripping him. Gives then a proper PPV headliner while they negotiate with Conor and gives them options like the ability to make Conor Diaz 3 without any fuss and allows them to promote Conor's 'return'.
It also means Conor has the screws put on him a little. His legacy takes a hit, and he will lose some of his popularity if he essentially acts as a retired fighter (this won't be too significant though). Aside from giving up the opportunity to make more money in his prime, he could do some damage to his future earning prospects if his reputation takes a hit.
And most importantly, it sends the message that the UFC doesn't need McGregor, even if this isn't true. It's hard to pretend to be a tough negotiator when you're concurrently telling someone you'll bend over backwards (or forwards - see what I did there? It's a reference to sodomy) to appease them.
It also means Conor has the screws put on him a little. His legacy takes a hit, and he will lose some of his popularity if he essentially acts as a retired fighter (this won't be too significant though). Aside from giving up the opportunity to make more money in his prime, he could do some damage to his future earning prospects if his reputation takes a hit.
And most importantly, it sends the message that the UFC doesn't need McGregor, even if this isn't true. It's hard to pretend to be a tough negotiator when you're concurrently telling someone you'll bend over backwards (or forwards - see what I did there? It's a reference to sodomy) to appease them.
He should be stripped. He's never defended a damn thing. He has shown willingness
to fight any late replacement that's thrown at him... so exactly what the fuck is the problem with
defending your belts and giving other guys the same shot that was given to you??
What if Aldo and Eddie both said fuck off. Sat out forever
and demanded millions and to be begged or they aren't fighting Conor?
Self promotion and asking to be paid your value is one thing. But don't be an
ass and deny other fighters the same chance you were given.
That is my problem with this dude...
to fight any late replacement that's thrown at him... so exactly what the fuck is the problem with
defending your belts and giving other guys the same shot that was given to you??
What if Aldo and Eddie both said fuck off. Sat out forever
and demanded millions and to be begged or they aren't fighting Conor?
Self promotion and asking to be paid your value is one thing. But don't be an
ass and deny other fighters the same chance you were given.
That is my problem with this dude...
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The Big Guy
Guest
that's what I was thinking. They waited this long, what is a few more months. I'm being sarcastic of course, but it's true
And like 90% of the roster has never won a belt... what’s that make them ?
Regular athletes lol. Also some should've gotten shots and didn't. Many went on better tears than conor did before he got his shot. What was your post supposed to prove? Conor winning a belt and never defending them is pathetic no matter what you say
I think not defending the belt and holding on to it is wrong, but not necessarily pathetic.
Irrelavant but if you were sitting on 100million and never had to work again what would you do?
And by work , I don’t mean fight ... I mean your current job/career. Cause fighting for these guys is their career and if they have enough money to not fight(work) again and be extremely well off, I’m sure many wouldn’t .
All good points but than either vacate the belt or retire all good options. Also it's like the old saying you're not a champ until you defend you belt. Forrest Griffen also won a belt.
I hate that saying.... people can clear out the whole division and then to hear someone say that - it makes no sense.
To be the champ, you gotta beat the champ.
And yes I agree, if he has no plans in defending, he should vacate. I’d rather retire than be fired.... rather vacate on my own terms than be stripped with no say.
But in his case, vacating it offers mcgregor little to no positives whereas if he’s stripped he can say he never lost the belt and proclaim he is still champion (but if he never plans on fighting again, it shouldn’t matter. I think he will fight again this year).
He should've defended his 145 belt before he even got to sniff the 155 belt.