UFC’s Conor McGregor gets California boxing license, more states to come?
Just when you thought Conor McGregor’s 2016 couldn’t get more interesting, the reigning lightweight champion is now a licensed boxer in the state of California.
Several sources reported the news Wednesday night including MMAFighting.com, FloCombat, and FoxSports.com, confirming with both McGregor’s management team and the state athletic commission.
Here’s what we know based on those reports:
– While he was granted a license in California, Fox Sports’ Damon Martin said he’s expected to also attempt to gain licenses in other “prominent states” like Nevada, Texas, and New York.
– The obvious play is the much-discussed boxing match with the currently retired Floyd Mayweather. FloSports’ Jeremy Botter believes the mutliple state licensing might means McGregor will use the Ali Act to make the fight happen despite his UFC contract. He also said the two sides have been discussing the fight for more than a year.
– McGregor was last seen winning the lightweight gold in a one-sided affair over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 several weeks ago. He was stripped of his featherweight title this weekend as part of a series of moves designed to give the upcoming UFC 206 a main event and purpose for remaining on PPV.
McGregor hasn’t commented on the stripping of the belt, so this could simply be a public show of displeasure toward that move and to generate more media attention for him.
Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez will discuss this news on Wrestling Observer Radio for subscribers late Wednesday night.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.