McGregor still wants both belts, boss stance unchanged

UFC president Dana White has been firm that UFC featherweight Conor McGregor, should he beat Eddie Alvarez and take his lightweight belt, would have to give up one title or the other. McGregor took the featherweight championship from Jose Aldo KO at UFC 194, on December 12, 2015, and has yet to defend it.

McGregor originally conceded, but later changed his mind.

When McGregor beat Alvarez, he stood center Octagon screaming for his second belt. White explained what happened at the UFC 205 post-fight press conference.

“Whoa, just for the record,” began an amused White. “I’m not supposed to bring his belt. He’s supposed to bring his belt. He’s yelling at me because I don’t have his belt. I’m like ‘no you’re supposed to bring your old belt, and I give you the new belt.’ So we went back there and Tyron Woodley gave us his belt.”

Then White was asked if McGregor still had to relinquish one belt. The boss replied kindly.

Listen, I’ve never dealt with anybody like this kid, on so many different levels,” began White. “Normally he walks out of the Octagon and he goes, ‘I wanna fight this guy next.’ Nobody does that. Nobody has ever done that. Nobody has ever walked out of the Octagon and told me they want to turn right around and fight again. He does. And who knows? I’m gonna let him enjoy this night and enjoy it we’ll talk business later.

The reporter asked if White was perhaps softening his stance to some degree.

“No,” said White smiling not unkindly.

McGregor was then asked about giving up one belt.

“They didn’t even want to give it to me in the Octagon. What was that about? I was literally losing my head in there. … I was saying I want to raise up them belts, climb up on the cage, raise them up one on one shoulder, one on the other.

“They didn’t have the belts and I was in the cage, and they was like, ‘did you not bring one of your won?’ I was like, ‘WHAT, get them brand new ones. This is a multi-billion dollar company. You want to have them brand new ones sparkling when I arrive here. So I’m happy that they went and got one.”

For his part, McGregor says before there is any discussion about his next fight, he wants equity.