UFC president Dana White and Conor McGregor. Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Dana White: Conor McGregor turned down UFC 249 fight, cost himself title bout

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/9/20

UFC boss Dana White made all kinds of headlines on Tuesday while speaking on ESPN's "First Take."

White confirmed Fight Island is located in Abu Dhabi and its first show will take place on July 11 and contain three championship fights, including welterweight champion Kamaru Usman defending that title versus Gilbert Burns in the main event.

White also announced Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier will complete their trilogy of heavyweight championship contests on Aug. 15.

Unsurprisingly, White addressed former two-division champion Conor McGregor, who is in the middle of his latest " retirement" as he, more likely than not, attempts to negotiate a desired bout and payday:

Dana White claims Conor McGregor declined replacement opportunity that Justin Gaethje ended up taking.

(via @FirstTake) pic.twitter.com/rQkubmzjMz
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 9, 2020

"Conor had the opportunity to slide into that spot if Khabib (Nurmagomedov) or Tony (Ferguson) fell out," White said of offering McGregor an opportunity to compete at the UFC 249 show held at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., on May 9.

"He came back and said, ‘I’m not a replacement fighter, I’m not going to do it.’ He would be in that position now if he took the fight. He didn’t, (Justin) Gaethje did, so Gaethje gets it."

Nurmagomedov, the undefeated lightweight champion, was unable to travel to the United States from Russia for the May 9 event because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Gaethje defeated Ferguson for the interim crown that evening.

White reiterated that Gaethje is next in line to battle Nurmagomedov, potentially at Fight Island or somewhere in the United States where fans would be permitted to attend an event.

McGregor hasn't fought since he defeated Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds last January at UFC 246. Usman offered a July title bout to both McGregor and Jorge Masvidal, but Masvidal asked for his UFC release after negotiations with the promotion broke down over a financial dispute.

It's possible the latest White-versus-McGregor spat is all for show and the promotion doesn't want to feature its top draw on a card unless spectators are allowed to pay to watch in-person.

Ohio and Texas are prepared to welcome fans to events this summer.

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