"If you leave, you gotta vacate" - When Dana White dismissed the idea of UFC fighters holding two belts simultaneously
Dana White was initially against the idea of UFC fighters holding titles in two different weight classes at the same time.
There have been four simultaneous two-division champions in UFC history so far — Conor McGregor (featherweight and lightweight), Daniel Cormier (light heavyweight and heavyweight), Amanda Nunes (women's bantamweight and featherweight) and Henry Cejudo (flyweight and bantamweight).
However, Dana White was not always warm to the idea of fighters holding belts in two different divisions at the same time. Speaking at the UFC 189 World Tour press conference in 2015 – McGregor became the promotion’s first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously in 2016 – the UFC president had the following to say:
"No, you have to vacate. If you leave, you gotta vacate. Let me tell you what, when you are in the UFC it is hard enough to defend your one title, let alone defend two titles. It would not be possible," said White.
Watch Dana White speak at the UFC 189 World Tour New York Press Conference below:
UFC 189 was initially set to hold the main event between featherweight champion Jose Aldo and challenger McGregor. However, Aldo pulled out of the bout due to a rib fracture and was replaced by Chad Mendes.
Conor McGregor became the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneously at UFC 205
Conor McGregor eventually claimed his first undisputed UFC championship by defeating Aldo via TKO at UFC 194 in December 2015. He finished the fight in just 13 seconds, the fastest knockout in UFC title bout history.
Almost a year later, 'Notorious' defeated Eddie Alvarez in stunning fashion at New York City's Madison Square Garden to win the lightweight championship. This record-breaking victory gave him yet another 'Performance of the Night' bonus.
On this day in 2016: Conor McGregor became the double champ at UFC 205. 🏆🇮🇪
https://t.co/a2xhDTMaYZ
Dana White described the UFC 205 event at MSG as the "biggest fight card" ever in the history of the sport of mixed martial arts.
The co-main event that night saw welterweight champ Tyron Woodley and No.1 contender Stephen Thompson contest a thrilling majority draw.