The lightweight division is moving on without Conor McGregor.
McGregor has not appeared in the UFC's Octagon since November 2016 and it sounds like UFC President Dana White is not prepared to wait for the Irishman to return in September.
It had been suggested that the plan was for McGregor to be stripped of his 155lbs belt and have interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson fight undefeated top contender Khabib Nurmagomedov for the undisputed belt.
And it sounds like the wheels are in motion for that to take place as White took to a Boston radio show to confirm that Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov would indeed go down at UFC 223 in April.
"That fight is going to happen," White told
Toucher and Rich, before confirming Brooklyn as the location.
Ferguson claimed the interim lightweight crown with a submission victory over Kevin Lee last October, while Nurmagomedov continued his unbeaten streak with a dominant win against Edson Barboza last month.
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Reports claimed that 'El Cucuy' and Nurmagomedov would fight for the undisputed title in the spring and that McGregor would receive the first shot at the winner when he feels ready to make his long-awaited comeback.
"You take the belt," White responded when asked what he planned to do with McGregor.
"In any sport; be it the NBA, NFL, hocky or whatever, no one guy can hold the whole sport hostage. That just doesn't happen.
"When Conor was getting ready for the Mayweather fight, I was already making plans for Conor to never come back. The company and business goes on. There will be other stars.
"The NBA didn't pack it up when Jordan left and they won't when LeBron leaves either."
McGregor enjoyed the biggest payday of his life when he made his boxing debut opposite Floyd Mayweather and there's no chance that the UFC would be able to offer a purse anywhere near the rumoured $100 million the 29-year-old took home for his 10th round defeat to the boxing legend.
It remains entirely possible that McGregor decides to retire with his handsome career earnings, having made his intentions in the fight game very clear back in 2014.
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"There are a lot of guys that I have to deal with every day who aren't worth the aggravation. This kid [McGregor] is worth the aggravation," White added.
"I have so much respect for him, in what he's accomplished and what he's done. If he wants to ride off into the sunset with his money for the rest of his life then I don't blame him.
"But if he wants to come back and fight, we'll get him back in. He just can't hold the division hostage for almost two years."
