MMA Fighting reports that the new main event for UFC 206 will be Max Holloway versus Anthony Pettis for the interim featherweight title. The news brings an eventual shakeup in the UFC featherweight division.
Conor McGregor is the current featherweight and lightweight champion having won the lightweight title earlier this month in New York. However, McGregor has not defended the 145 pound title since winning it last December. Jose Aldo won an interim featherweight title this past July at UFC 200 due in part to McGregor refusing to fight at the July event.
It is unknown whether McGregor will be officially stripped of the title or if this will set up a matchup with the winner of Holloway-Pettis fight…or not.
Payout Perspective:
If another interim title is the plan for the UFC it seems short-sighted unless they have already contacted Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo about this decision. I doubt this has happened. McGregor has made it clear that he will not relinquish the 145-pound title. Unless he’s made a 180 degree change of mind since winning on November 12th, the UFC is in for a PR fight (and maybe more) over the title.
Just read McTapper gave it up
Very confusing. Aldo is the “interim” title holder, while McGregor is the “real” title holder. Now McGregor vacates, which makes Aldo the “real” so the UFC has an “interim” title fight to determine a new “interim” champ. That makes no sense to me.
Interim titles are for when the real champ can’t defend (for example due to injury, or fighting in a different weight class) and are meant to be temporary until the real champ defends, is stripped or vacates. With Aldo as the real champ you have someone who is willing to defend, so you don’t need an interim. The Holloway-Pettis fight should be a 5 round title-eliminator, not a title fight.
But whatever. It will be a good fight. Just not a championship fight.