Last weekend, the UFC announced that Conor McGregor had vacated the organisation's featherweight title.
The Dubliner had not spoken publicly about losing the belt, but it looks like he was made his first move, in a potential war with the UFC. According to overnight reports in America, McGregor has been granted a boxing licence in California.
Confirmed with California State Athletic Commission that Conor McGregor has been issued a boxing license as of today.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 1, 2016
The UFC lightweight champion is one of the heaviest hitters in the UFC, with seven of his last nine wins coming by knockout. Last month he claimed the UFC lightweight title with a second-round stoppage of Eddie Alvarez.
McGregor has been endlessly linked with a super-fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. The two men have hinted at a bout, throughout the past few months, but no date has ever seemed close to being cemented.
MMA Vs Boxing. pic.twitter.com/qgl8tKvT5s
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 8, 2016
Mayweather has won all 49 of his professional fights, and a comeback for a fiftieth seems inevitable.
McGregor's move to apply for a California boxing license may be seen as a simply a veiled threat towards the UFC. If he applied to Nevada, it may have been taken more seriously. Mayweather has not fought away from Las Vegas since 2006.
The pantomime looks set to continue.
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