UFC Official Refutes Dana White’s Claim about UFC 205

UFC 205, which is scheduled for November 12 in New York City, is still without an official main event. The impression, however, has long been that the the card’s main event spot would be filled by a lightweight title fight between Eddie Alvarez and Conor McGregor.

Last night, this possibility was stamped out by a Twitter tag-team of UFC president Dana White and lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov. The pair’s tweets suggested that Nurmagomedov would be Alvarez’s UFC 205 opponent, which rendered McGregor’s immediate future uncertain.

not true it's @TeamKhabib

— danawhite (@danawhite) September 21, 2016

Me and Dana just waiting for Eddie to sign. I promise I will finish you fast and with no pain. https://t.co/4Zv9j8xejZ

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 21, 2016

I hag a very generous birthday gift today. Thanks @danawhite @ufc #ufclightweightchamp2016 #inshaAllah

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 21, 2016

Yet, just hours removed from White and Nurmagomedov’s comments, the story of UFC 205’s main event has experienced another surprising twist. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Alavarez still plans to fight McGregor at UFC – not Nurmagomedov.

UFC official says there is nothing official to confirm regarding UFC 205 at this time … 2016 is the year of negotiations going public …

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 21, 2016

Per sources, nothing has changed on Eddie Alvarez's side of things, despite Dana's tweet. Eddie wants to fight Conor McGregor on Nov. 12.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 21, 2016

So, it appears that all is not lost for fight fans that were hoping for Alvarez vs. McGregor at UFC 205. While Dana White seems to be angling for an Alvarez vs. Nurmagomedov bout, this fight is clearly not a done deal. And of course, there’s always the possibility that this Alvarez-Nurmagomedov announcement is simply a negotiation tactic to trick the notoriously stubborn McGregor into playing ball…

Even without a headliner, UFC 205 is looking like a can’t-miss night of fighting. The biggest bout confirmed for the card thus far is a welterweight title fight between champ Tyron Woodley and challenger Stephen Thompson.

Elsewhere on the card, we’ll witness a welterweight showdown between Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum, while former middleweight champion Chris Weidman will look to back on track opposite streaking Olympian Yoel Romero.

Finally, the card will also be the home of a middleweight bout between Rashad Evans and Tim Kennedy, a lightweight bout between Thiago Alves and Jim Miller, and a bantamweight bout between Liz Carmouche and Katlyn Chookagian. A featherweight bout between Frankie Edgar and Jeremy Stephens is also rumored for the event.

Do you think Conor McGregor will be a part of the UFC 205 lineup, or will Eddie Alvarez defend his title against Khabib Nurmagomedov instead? Sound off, PENN nation!