Conor McGregor has vacated his UFC featherweight title and instead opted to retain his lightweight crown, the sport's governing body has said in a short statement.

The Irishman became the sport's first two-division world champion when he beat Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight belt at UFC 205 in New York a fortnight ago.

But UFC said on Saturday that McGregor - who is not expected to fight again until the middle of next year - had relinquished the featherweight belt which had now been given to interim holder Jose Aldo.