As announced earlier today, Tony Ferguson was forced out of his UFC interim lightweight title defense against Khabib Nurmagomedov due to a knee injury that will require surgery. With featherweight champ Max Holloway making the gutsy move to step in on short notice, it was announced the fight would be for the interim strap.
With Ferguson holding that title, the only logical way to put the championship on the line was to strip him of the belt.
Speaking with ESPN.com, Dana White confirmed that was the case.