NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 11: UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor reacts as he walks on stage for UFC 205 Weigh-ins at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

It was a little more than two weeks ago that Conor McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez to win the UFC lightweight championship. That made him the first man to hold UFC titles in two weight classes simultaneously.

This led to speculation as to what McGregor would ultimately do with the belts. Defending both seemed a bridge too far, even for a fighter as active and able as McGregor. But it wasn’t an impossibility, and just handing over a belt isn’t in character for fighters, especially not one as, say, prideful as McGregor is.

But that was not necessarily a decision the UFC had to rush. They could have even played up the suspense as to what McGregor would do; manufacturing drama is kind of the UFC’s thing, after all. Just look at every single weigh-in/press conference ever.

So this report from MMA Fighting comes as a bit of a surprise. Apparently, the UFC just stripped Conor of his featherweight belt:

The Irishman, who also holds the UFC lightweight belt, has relinquished given up his featherweight title, the UFC announced Saturday night during the UFC Fight Night 101 broadcast.

Although the UFC says McGregor has given up the featherweight belt voluntarily, sources told MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani that McGregor never agreed to that decision. Regardless, the UFC has the right to strip the belt from McGregor.

Jose Aldo, who won the interim title back at UFC 200 in July, defeating Frankie Edgar, will now take McGregor’s belt and become the undisputed 145-pound champion.

McGregor will now likely compete full-time in the lightweight division, which is a weight somewhat closer to McGregor’s natural weight class anyway. What’s interesting is that the UFC would be so willing to take action that might upset their main cash cow; that’s not to say it’s a bad strategy, as no one athlete is ever bigger than their sport.

McGregor’s next fight hasn’t been announced yet, but regardless of date, location, or weight class, it’s sure to be a massive draw.

[MMA Fighting]

About Jay Rigdon

Jay is a columnist at Awful Announcing. He is not a strong swimmer. He is probably talking to a dog in a silly voice at this very moment.