Conor McGregor's days as UFC lightweight champion are finally over.

Ahead of UFC 223 this weekend, which sees Khabib Nurmagomedov go toe-to-toe with Max Holloway to crown a new lightweight champion, Dana White has confirmed for the first time that the division's current champion – Conor McGregor – will be stripped of his belt before the fight.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, White said that McGregor will lose his belt but will definitely fight again this year:

"Conor is coming back this year. 100%, he will fight this year. The only person who is losing a belt is Conor...Conor’s losing the belt."

Upon hearing the news, Conor reacted in typical fashion.

You’s’ll strip me of nothing you’s do nothing cunts.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 5, 2018

In his 500 days as UFC lightweight champion, McGregor didn't make a single defence of the belt and in the eyes of many, this stripping has been long overdue.

On the other hand, it shows just how much power McGregor has over UFC that it's taken them this long to take a stand against him.