Conor McGregor Blames ONE Championship for Possible Demise of UFC Flyweight Division
Conor McGregor took aim at ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong after word that the UFC may be dissolving the flyweight division.
The comment from the former two-division champion came after rumors began swirling on Wednesday that the UFC was moving towards the end of the 125-pound men’s division.
Several fighters announced their release from the UFC including Jose ‘Shorty’ Torres and Jarred Brooks while saying that they were let go as the promotion prepares for the end of the flyweight division.
McGregor then decided to point the finger at Sityodtong after he was part of a blockbuster trade that sent Ben Askren to the UFC while ONE Championship received former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.
“You must now take all the 125lbers that have been let go, Chatri,” McGregor wrote on Twitter. “You talk all of this martial art and respect talk, yet your greed has directly cost more than half a fighting division it’s chance to earn income for their family.
“Have respect Chatri. Sign the division.”
You must now take all the 125lbers that have been let go, Chatri.
You talk all of this Martial Art and respect talk, yet your greed has directly cost more than half a fighting division it’s chance to earn income for their family.
Have respect @YODCHATRI.
Sign the division.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 8, 2018
It’s unclear why McGregor decided to blast Sityodtong for the UFC’s decision to trade Johnson and then potentially move towards eliminating the flyweight division.
ONE Championship has always had a thriving flyweight class and adding a fighter the caliber of Johnson definitely made sense for them. The Singapore based promotion also just announced a flyweight grand prix tournament that will kick off in 2019.
Still, McGregor opted to shift blame to ONE Championship for what could be the end of the 125-pound division in the UFC.
