UFC boss unsure how long McGregor can stay idle

DETROIT: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White is unsure how long Conor McGregor can keep his lightweight title without defending it.

“That’s what we have to figure out,” said White.

McGregor hasn’t fought in the UFC since he knocked out Eddie Alvarez on Nov 4, 2016.

White said he talks weekly with McGregor, adding he’s under contract to fight four more times for UFC.

McGregor made about US$100mil ( RM408mil) for boxing Floyd Mayweather in August. White said McGregor doesn’t have a sense of urgency to fight because of the money he made for stepping in the ring with Mayweather.

“He’s super famous and super rich,” White said. “He’s going through what guys his age go through when they get this kind of crazy money. You take some time off, blow a bunch of money doing things you never got to do.

“When you’ve got US$100mil, you don’t need to be in a rush.”

Meanwhile, Max Holloway said he respects Jose Aldo, saying he’s one of the greatest ever in mixed martial arts.

Holloway, though, is hoping to play a part in beginning to end Aldo’s career.

The Hawaiian fighter beat Aldo in his native Brazil in June, earning the featherweight title, and he is aiming to do it again in a rematch at UFC 218 in Detroit today. “It’s kind of like passing the torch,” Holloway said. “This is my time. I’m here to build a legacy, and I think I can cement it on Saturday night.”

Holloway (18-3) has won 11 straight fights since losing to McGregor in 2013. He was scheduled to headline the card against Frankie Edgar, but Edgar broke an orbital bone a few weeks ago while training. That gave Aldo another shot.

Aldo (26-3) plans to take full advantage.

“It was a faster rematch than I expected, but I am ready because I was training to fight in a couple weeks,” he said through an interpreter.

“I will show that I’m still a champion and I’m still the best.”