Bruce Lee once called this, “The art of fighting without fighting.”
I’m not sure how else to categorize Conor McGregor’s hasty retirement from mixed martial arts (MMA) last Tuesday, because if Donald Cerrone is correct and “Notorious” is simply trying to stay relevant, then why not fight “Cowboy” in July, as previously planned?
Oh right, “co-main event.”
McGregor hasn’t given a reason for his “quick announcement” earlier this week and has maintained radio silence ever since his cryptic tweet. That led some to speculate that “Notorious” was employing a similar tactic used back in 2016.
“I don’t believe it, I don’t think it’s happening,” Cerrone told SportsCenter. “I think it’s a ploy to stay relevant. I just think he put that out there to stir up the media. I read he may go to the WWE. He may have to get out of his UFC contract to do that. Retiring is one way out, but I doubt it. He’s not going anywhere.”
With McGregor bailing on a proposed Cerrone fight, “Cowboy” will move on to face Al Iaquinta in the UFC Fight Night 150 lightweight main event held this May inside Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (more on that here).
As for “Notorious,” he’s got a couple of other fights to worry about. Not only is McGregor on the hook for smashing up a fan’s cell phone in Miami (see the video here), he’s also facing accusations of sexual assault back in Ireland.
To quote AJ Benza: Fame, ain’t it a bitch?