UFC News: Twitter reacts to Conor McGregor relinquishing his Featherweight title
Ever since Conor McGregor announced his ambitions to be the first fighter to hold two belts in as many weight classes simultaneously in the UFC, the promotion’s president, Dana White, maintained that the Irishman could not hang on to both of his straps for too long even if he were to achieve this feat.
Now that ‘Mystic Mac’ has done what he said he would do, so has Dana White, as the Notorious One was forced to give up his 145lbs belt. It’s no real surprise that everyone has something to say on the issue, except the Champ himself, Conor Mcgregor.
The news that was announced in the wake of Daniel Cormier pulling out of UFC 206, implied that Jose Aldo would be promoted to the position of reigning Champion, while Anthony Pettis and Max Holloway face off for the Interim Championship. When it was made official, both challengers for the newly vacated Interim belt, took to Twitter to express their joy:
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
UFC Featherweight, Cub Swanson, took the opportunity to applaud both fighters saying that the two deserved the shot they were given.
Two guys who really deserve a big opportunity https://t.co/TX8NQrA7kh
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 27, 2016
On the other hand, fellow Featherweight, Cole Miller brought up a poignant question that was met with equal parts dissent and agreement. Here’s what he tweeted out after the announcement was made:
If they stripped CM, why is Pettis vs Holloway an interim title fight and not a title fight?
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) November 27, 2016
When a fan brought up that Aldo was now the Champion of the division, Miller responded with another question:
@JayZee519 right Aldo is / was interim champ so why we need a new interim champ if Aldo gonna be back within a year. Also don't be mean.
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) November 28, 2016
On the lighter side, 25-year-old UFC Welterweight, Mike ‘Platinum’ Perry, gave the Internet a preview to his future in the promotion:
A look into my future #platinumChamp pic.twitter.com/nVwEb62kTK
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) November 27, 2016
Although the Irish Champion has still not responded to the announcement or any of the backlash it has received, his coach John Kavanagh responded with an image, to sum up the situation, when asked about his thoughts on it:
@Sarrrcher pic.twitter.com/rCh84xTcEN
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) November 27, 2016
The common opinion seems to be that Mcgregor gave up his belt rather reluctantly. Mmafighting’s Ariel Helwani confirmed the announcement after it was made but maintained that McGregor never agreed to it.
UFC says McGregor has "relinquished" the 145 title. I'm told he never agreed to that, as we reported earlier, but UFC w/i rights to strip.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 27, 2016
Retired UFC Veteran Stephen Bonnar also chimed in with his two cents on the issue but opted to use humour instead:
So when the #UFC says @NotoriousMMA relinquished his 145 lb, belt, I hear: "We pried it from his cold dead hands."
— Stephan Bonnar (@StephanBonnar) November 27, 2016
Of course, the Internet itself had more than its fair share to say on the topic and here’s one that sure to put a smile on your face:
So Conor McGregor has had the featherweight title taken away from him.
— EOW (@_EOW_) November 27, 2016
Crazy how the tables have turned! pic.twitter.com/5PgGTgxwvM
The Irishman’s fanbase, which seems to be growing in numbers every hour and a few former haters, also took to the Internet to shoot at what they thought wasn't the most consistent of decisions by the promotion.
Conor McGregor has had more UFC fights than Jose Aldo. #UFOTD
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) November 27, 2016
Me: McGregor's never defended the belt
— #HalfTheBattle (@BestFightPicks) November 26, 2016
Inner me: He's 3-0 in @UFC title fights. Won em all by KO@TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/FlJ7OmXSDx
On the other hand, many others rejoiced at the fact that the division was no longer ‘held up’:
UFC does the right move and Conor McGregor relinquishes the UFC Featherweight Championship Belt.. That division has been held up to long!!!
— Johnny AlphaLion ®™ (@JohnnyAlphaLion) November 27, 2016
I'm not hating on Conor McGregor but he's never defended a Belt in his Career 2 with Cage Warriors 2 with UFC and I think he will go to 170!
— Johnny AlphaLion ®™ (@JohnnyAlphaLion) November 27, 2016