Conor McGregor to exit top 15 lightweight rankings after 6 years; fans react

Conor McGregor has fallen out of the UFC lightweight top-15 rankings for the first time in six years, marking the end of an era at 155 pounds. 'The Notorious' star has been replaced by rising contender Grant Dawson, who now occupies No.14 on the ladder.

The UFC has not updated the divisional hierarchies since December 6. The latest rankings, however, were released by TSN and are the same rankings used by the promotion.

Fans have reacted to the momentous change at 155 pounds with a mixture of emotions. Some felt as though it was a long time coming, while others chose to look back on McGregor's lightweight spell more fondly.

One fan wrote:

"It was a helluva run"

Another suggested that the change has come too late:

"Let's f**king goooooo. I was just looking at it today and he was still on there. Good for Gran [Grant Dawson], McGregor shouldn't be on there anyway"

See fan reactions below:

Fans react to Conor McGregor's removal from UFC lightweight top 15 rankings

Conor McGregor stitched together a must-see run at lightweight despite only four fights in the division.

He won the UFC title against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 on his debut at 155 pounds inside the promotion. He then faced Khabib Nurmagomedov next in arguably the biggest rivalry MMA has ever seen, later facing Dustin Poirier twice in 2021.

'The Notorious' sustained a serious leg injury against 'The Diamond' in their trilogy bout at UFC 264 and has been in recovery since July 2021. McGregor has gained an immense amount of muscle during his hiatus, and there has been speculation that his return to the UFC could be at welterweight.

---

Michael Chandler eyeing a fight with Conor McGregor in 2023

Conor McGregor is rumored to be making a return to the octagon in 2023. Whilst nothing has been confirmed, Michael Chandler is eager to be the Irishman's opponent come his next fight night.

Chandler and 'The Notorious' are two of the most captivating fighters in the sport right now, and a fight between the pair would be a massive affair.

'Iron' was recently interviewed by Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie, during which he said the following about a potential matchup with McGregor:

"People think it's going to be the fastest-paced, craziest first round of all time. I definitely think it will be. The way Conor McGregor starts fights, the way I start fights - it's a car crash in the middle of the octagon. Hopefully at T-Mobile Arena here in Vegas in July [2023]. It's going to be huge, it's going to be awesome."

Watch the interview below: