In a surprising turn of events, Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com is reporting that the anticipated clash between Featherweight contenders Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis will now be the main event for UFC 206 on December 10th from Toronto, Canada. And it will be for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship.
Holloway vs. Pettis was scheduled to be the co-main event of the evening under the much anticipating rematch between Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier & Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. As we noted earlier in the week, Cormier had to pull out of the fight with an injury, leaving the UFC without a main event. UFC tried to line up Gegard Mousasi to main event against Rumble, but Johnson declined and would rather wait for Cormier to get healthy.
There is no official announcement on current Interim UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo, who defeated Frankie Edgar for the crown at UFC 200 in July. Speculation is running rampant that Aldo may become the official UFC Featherweight Champion & that current champion Conor McGregor will be stripped of his championship.
McGregor is the first dual champion in UFC history. The company is in uncharted waters with McGregor, but he has not defended the UFC Featherweight Championship since he defeated Aldo by KO at UFC 194 less than one year ago. They can technically strip him of the championship & award it to current interim champion Jose Aldo.
Either way, this shakes up a stagnant division since McGregor became champion.
Holloway goes into this fight winning his last 9 UFC contests in a row, while Pettis just recently broke a three fight losing streak when he dropped down to featherweight to submit Charles Oliveira this past August. More on this story & the reaction of the McGregor camp is sure to come in the near future.