What’s next for Conor McGregor after UFC 202?
The Notorious successfully sought retribution for his first UFC loss by defeating Nate Diaz in UFC 202’s main event in a legitimate Fight of the Year contender.
Both men verbally agreed to completing the trilogy at 155 lb somewhere down the line in their respective Octagon interviews with Joe Rogan. It was expected that McGregor would drop back down to defend the featherweight title against interim champion Jose Aldo in his next trip to the Octagon, since the Notorious has yet to defend his throne.
However, during the post-fight press scrum, McGregor didn’t seem too keen on the idea of fighting a man he rendered unconscious in less time than it took Bruce Buffer to introduce him.
“I mean how long was I going back and forth with Jose? That mus have been a two-year build up. He pulled out last minute, I continued to fight someone else then we rescheduled a two-year round the world deal with that boy and then he stepped in and I beat him in 13-seconds.”
“It’s hard for me to get excited about that, especially after his last performance. It was a decision. He didn’t go out and get it like I wanted him to get it. So, I don’t know. We’ll see. I’m the 145 lb champion. The interim 145 lb champion is a man I KO’d in 13-seconds. so I have to figure out what’s next. I don’t know what’s next. There’s many things in the pipeline, so sit tight.”
Great to see this between two rivals https://t.co/VEGrCs7E7D
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 21, 2016
Dana White told Fox Sports 1 after the fight that if McGregor didn’t drop back down to 145 lb for his next trip to the Octagon and defend the belt against Jose Aldo, then he would be stripped of his title. However, McGregor hinted that this may have been an empty threat from the UFC president.
“I don’t think they’re going to do that. How can they do that? If they want to give my belt to the guy I KO’d in 13 seconds and bury that division in the prelims or the Fight Pass prelims, because that’s what they’re going to do. I mean, we’ll see. What would they do that division if the guy I KO’d in 13 seconds is the unified champion? We’ve got a lot to talk about. We’re positioned right now and that was built through hard work. I’m going to capitalise on that.”
“Again, we’ll see. There’s a lot of stuff in the pipeline. Shit’s about to hit the fan, I feel. So. we’ll see.”
One way or another, Aldo made it clear that he wants that title back.
Where you at @TheNotoriousMMA? Come back down and I'll see you at UFC205 or drop the belt! #hitandrun
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) August 21, 2016
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