Dana White open to Conor McGregor's pursuit to become two-division champ
It looks like Conor McGregor might get his wish to become only the second fighter in UFC history to try and hold two titles in two different weight classes simultaneously.
McGregor stated just minutes after knocking out featherweight champion Jose Aldo in 13 seconds at UFC 194 that he was already targeting another title, this time at 155 pounds.
UFC president Dana White seemed hesitant at first to allow McGregor the chance to go up and compete in a new division without vacating his featherweight title. Now it seems White has come around and all signs are pointing towards McGregor getting the green light to pursue the opportunity to become the first UFC two-division champion.
"Conor has said he would like to win the 155-pound belt and fight four times a year and defend both belts," White said on "UFC Tonight" on Wednesday. "If anybody can do it, Conor McGregor can. This guy has done pretty much everything he said he would do so I'm interested."
McGregor stated emphatically after his win over Aldo that he had no plans to vacate the featherweight title if he went to 155 pounds but the decision ultimately landed with the UFC on whether or not it would allow him to do that.
B.J. Penn currently stands as the only fighter to hold a title in one division while going up in weight to compete for another belt. Penn fell short in his bid at UFC 94 in 2009, but McGregor believes he'll have better luck when he tries his hand at becoming both the featherweight and lightweight champion.
White admits that he would never normally allow a fighter to hold two belts at the same time, but most people aren't Conor McGregor.
"That is true, normally I would say if you're going to move up in weight you're going to have to give up the belt, but Conor has done everything he said he would do," White said. "He wants to fight, he really likes money, so if anybody could do it, it's probably him."
McGregor also has stated he wants to get back in action sooner rather than later and a lightweight title fight against Rafael dos Anjos would certainly do big business. Then again, Frankie Edgar has been chomping at the bit to get a shot at McGregor and the featherweight title.
It looks like McGregor has plenty of options and none of them are bad for his bottom line.
