Becoming a two-weight world champion has been the main goal for many MMA fighters who look to follow in the footsteps of ‘The Mac’.
From his incredible promos to his classic fights against the likes of Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor’s UFC career is iconic for many reasons.
In the Irish superstar’s greatest achievement, ‘The Notorious’ became the first man to hold UFC titles in two weight classes at the same time with his iconic win over Eddie Alvarez at UFC 305.
Several other all-time greats joined him on the list of champ-champs but this era now looks to have come to an end with Ilia Topuria not getting the chance to replicate McGregor’s feat.
We’re a long way away from UFC 305 at this point with McGregor looking more likely to compete in BKFC but that hasn’t stopped a teammate of his from adding a second belt to his shoulder.
Will Fleury becomes a two-weight world champion in OKTAGON after signing less than a year ago
Ireland’s Will Fleury has been a staple of the mats at SBG Dublin where Conor McGregor learned his craft for some time now.
Training alongside the likes of Karl Moore and Johnny Walker, the 35-year-old has been a top middleweight and light heavyweight in Europe for some time but he has really hit his stride since signing with OKTAGON.
Fleury fought twice in PFL before parting ways with the promotion following a positive drug test result that ruled his fight with former UFC veteran Krzystof Jotko a no contest.
His unceremonious PFL exit was even addressed in a public rift between Fleury and McGregor on social media but the Irishman started to turn things around last year.
Following back-to-back finishes in the light heavyweight division, Fleury dethroned former UFC fighter and Czech icon Karlos Vemola in December before setting his sights on a second title.
With the promotion’s heavyweight division having a vacant belt, the light heavyweight champion moved up a weight class at OKTAGON 68 in Germany on March 8 to face Bulgaria’s Lazar Todev.
Fleury had to overcome some difficult moments in the fight but after winning a unanimous decision at the end of five rounds, he achieved champ-champ status in just 11 months with the promotion.
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Several UFC fighters are still pushing for champ-champ status
Despite Ilia Topuria vacating his featherweight title in order to move up to lightweight, it is clear that becoming a champ-champ is still a high priority for several top fighters in the sport.
Champion vs champion matchups are still constantly being discussed across the majority of the weight classes in the UFC.
We could even see strawweight champion Zhang Weili look to become the second female double champ if she moves up to flyweight in the near future.
It may not always be the best thing for the division but what Conor McGregor achieved in Madison Square Garden in 2016 is still seen as the pinnacle of the sport.