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Dana White says a Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz trilogy fight isn't happening 'right now'

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After UFC 202, the overriding question the UFC faces with respect to both Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz. Each has a win over the other, thereby setting up a trilogy fight. McGregor and Diaz expressed interest in fighting a third time in their post-fight interviews with Joe Rogan, although McGregor said he'd require it be at 155 pounds.

Still, the interest is there. The dilemma the UFC is whether to indulge their wishes. McGregor is still the UFC featherweight champion, but hasn't defended it since capturing it from Jose Aldo at UFC 194 in December. As it stands, Aldo is the interim champ after defeating Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 in July.

UFC President Dana White spoke to both ESPN and FS1 following UFC 202 on Saturday night and claimed a third meeting between the two fighters wasn't going to happen right away.

"We're definitely not doing this a third time right now," White told, who scored the fight three rounds to two for McGregor on FS1. "I don't think there's anybody that doesn't want to see this fight again, but Conor's either going to go defend his title or give his title up and then we'll figure out where to go from there."

While a resolution to the trilogy won't be happening immediately, White noted, he still doesn't know what McGregor intends to do. He has options, and can vacate his title and move up a weight class, try to negotiate a Diaz trilogy bout or return to featherweight.

"Conor has to defend his title or make a decision to give it up or whatever he wants to do. I don't know," White said on SportsCenter on ESPN. "I gotta sit down and see what's next."

When asked what he'd do if he were McGregor, White's response was noteworthy, arguing a return to face Aldo would be his top priority.


"If I was Conor, I'd defend my title," he said.

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