Conor McGregor’s reign as a simultaneous multi-division champion didn’t last long, and the rest of the UFC roster had mixed reactions about the announcement.
READ: McGregor gives up UFC featherweight belt
Due to UFC lightheavyweight champion Daniel Cormier’s injury, the promotion was forced to tab Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis in the main event of UFC 206, in a battle for the interim Featherweight title.
The gold was previously held by McGregor after winning it last year, but the company announced that his former foe Jose Aldo would be awarded the championship in his stead.
The confusing scenario certainly leaves a cloud of uncertainty over the 145-lb. division, and McGregor’s fellow fighter and Irishman Neil Seery took to Twitter to state the obvious.
Don’t think Aldo or any of the featherweights will feel like a champion as long as Conor is still active
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) November 27, 2016
Screen Grab from Twitter/@StephanBonnar
The two fighters who seemed to gain the most out of the situation, Pettis and Holloway, also took to Twitter to hype their fight.
News is official Dec 10 I’ll be fighting for the @ufc interim 145 title thank you all for the support #ufc206 #maxforgold pic.twitter.com/1XoWVzPM1s
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) November 27, 2016
Success is when preparation and opportunity meet. You WILL be entertained. #UFC206 #TeamPettis @BlessedMMA #Mex #Boricua #SiSePuede pic.twitter.com/4jQ5KCZMlt
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) November 27, 2016
McGregor, meanwhile, will reportedly be sidelined until May to take care of his pregnant wife.
Despite his lengthy absence, the 28-year-old champion will keep his lightweight belt, as contenders Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson are waiting in the wings for his return. Khristian Ibarrola