José Aldo is again the UFC’s lightweight champion. Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
A big twist in the UFC was announced early this Sunday the 27th. A holder of two belts, Ireland’s Conor McGregor has vacated the lightweight title. José Aldo thus regains that belt. Now the Brazilian awaits Anthony Pettis vs. Max Hollaway to find out who his next opponent will be.
While big, the UFC’s decision was predictable. Ever since McGregor challenged Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight belt, the firm made it clear that McGregor would not keep both belts for long.
They had to make good on the promise a little faster following the cancellation of the main event of UFC 206, Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson.
The bout between Anthony Pettis and Max Hollaway would certainly put the winner on track to challenge the belt holder. McGregor, who had a hard time making featherweight, chose to stick to the upper weight class.
Aldo, who had threatened to retire from the UFC and seek different things in the sport, had his belt returned and has new prospects within the UFC, now that his dream rematch with McGregor is unlikely to happen. And the fight between Pettis and Hollaway now has enough weight to be on the poster, as it will be for the interim belt.
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