Dana White explains why he didn't call up McGregor to replace Ferguson at UFC 223

McGregor was not considered for UFC 223 (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFCBrasil)

As soon as the injury Tony Ferguson broke out and took the fighter out of UFC 223, next Saturday (07), many expected that Conor McGregor could replace the interim champion. As owner of the linear title in the category, some fans expected the Irishman to return to action, even with little preparation, to face the Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, Dana White, president of the UFC, revealed that he didn't even consider calling the 'Notório' for the fight.

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According to the director, McGregor, who last fought in November 2016, would not be able to make the lightweight division weight (up to 70,3 kg.). Furthermore, the president hopes that the Irishman's return will be produced in advance to commercially enhance the organization's highest-paid athlete.

“I don't think Conor McGregor he could make weight in six days, it's a tough weight cut for him. And Conor is not the type of guy I want to book as a last-minute replacement, he's a guy I want to have adequate time to promote the fight, get the fight in the right place. So no, I wasn't interested in asking Conor to take this fight. And that's why I wouldn't put him in a fight against Frankie Edgar in two weeks”, declared the UFC president. to the ESPN channel website, remembering that the Irishman offered to replace Max Holloway at UFC 222, in February, and face Frankie Edgar in the main fight of the show.

Dana White further confirmed that Conor McGregor, linear lightweight champion, and Tony Ferguson, owner of the interim belt, will lose their positions at UFC 223. According to the director, the winner of the fight between Nurmagomedov and Holloway will be the only lightweight champion. Despite this, the president believes that the Irishman will be able to return to action against the winner of the dispute, already in the fight for the title.

“As soon as these guys get in the ring and throw a punch, the title is worth it. Whoever wins, wins the title, and we'll see what happens with Conor in the coming months. I know he expressed interest in fighting around September. Yes, I think Conor could come back in September, and it could be against one of these two guys,” added White.

UFC 223

With the output of Tony Ferguson of the main fight of UFC 223, the event acted quickly and called up the featherweight champion (up to 65,7 kg) Max Holloway to face the Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov for the organization's lightweight belt. The show, which takes place next Saturday (07), in New York (USA), will have another title fight. The Straw Champion Rose namajunas defends his reign against the former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Brazil will be represented at the show by Brasiliense Renato Moicano who stares Calvin kattar on the main card. Check out the full event card below.

UFC 223 fight schedule

main card

Max Holloway x Khabib Nurmagomedov – fight for the lightweight belt

Rose namajunas x Joanna Jedrzejczyk – fight for the women’s strawweight belt

Renato Moicano x Calvin kattar

Michael chiesa x Anthony Pettis

To the fifth x Paul felder

Preliminary Card

Karolina Kowalkiewicz x Felice herrig

Ray Borg x Brandon Moreno

Joe lauzon x Chris Gruetzemacher

Evan dunham x Olivier Aubin-Mercier

Alex Caceres x Artem Lobov

Bec Rawlings x Ashlee Evans-Smith

Devin Clark x Mike Rodriguez

Zabit Magomedsharipov x Kyle Bochniak

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