Bad mood? Publicity stunt? Negotiating tactic?
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion, Conor McGregor, abruptly retired from mixed martial arts (MMA) on Tuesday (March 26, 2019) after failing to come to terms on a July return to the Octagon.
Our full report here.
But now that some of the initial shock has worn off, not everyone is convinced “Notorious” is really calling it quits. Perhaps that skepticism comes from the 2016 tweet McGregor used to bail on the UFC 200 pay-per-view (PPV) event, or maybe fans have finally caught on that “retiring” no longer means “gone forever.”
Just ask this guy.
Anyway, Twitter had a field day with the announcement, though I was a little sad Nate Diaz had yet to pile on. That said, I would certainly expect something from the Stockton slugger at some point later today.
Here’s the original post:
Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 26, 2019
I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition.
I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement.
Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!
And the reactions:
There can be only one king in the jungle.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 26, 2019
Only ☝️ pic.twitter.com/BuqVNUkoR0
I’ve come out of retirement.
— michael (@bisping) March 26, 2019
Second round is on me https://t.co/1liGxXhVTG
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) March 26, 2019
So we will be getting an @TheNotoriousMMA Fight announcement within the week https://t.co/bndmhKF2Fg
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) March 26, 2019
Wheres that sofa?
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) March 26, 2019
Get in make money get out.
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) March 26, 2019
Much respect to Conor.
He’ll be back though for sure! https://t.co/V1mMpPHini
See you at ‘mania brother
— Finn Bálor forEVERYone (@FinnBalor) March 26, 2019
"If you ain't dedicated to winning, why waste our time?"
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 26, 2019
— @stephenasmith on Conor McGregor pic.twitter.com/qifHkuadRc
Sounds more like McGregor vs. Pettis at UFC 239 to me. https://t.co/TPQe55yU0s
— Gorgeous George (@MMAjunkieGeorge) March 26, 2019
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) March 26, 2019
Non-industry reactions good for some laughs:
— kaskulbaski (@kaskul1394) March 26, 2019
Dana chasing conor after this tweet @MacMallyMMA pic.twitter.com/BSQ7EJI30j
— craig underwood (@cmu1985) March 26, 2019
— Cooke (@_JayCub) March 26, 2019
Vince McMahon and mediocre action movie directors rn. pic.twitter.com/uKGpp2r2bD
— Old Man Phong Le (@oldmanphongle) March 26, 2019
— gabriel tripp (@gabrieltrippp) March 26, 2019
With his departure, McGregor is expected to focus on his Proper No. 12 whiskey label, on track to make him a “billionaire” (because yachts are expensive). Maybe it’s time for Dana White and Co. to finally consider this lofty request?
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