In what was a rather unusual day in mixed martial arts (MMA) news, which all began with Conor McGregor’s decision to “retire young,” Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White put the cherry on top when he announcied that “Notorious” had been pulled from his UFC 200 rematch against Nate Diaz on July 9, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Upon hearing the news White delivered on ESPN’s “SportCenter,” the pieces started to fall into place … sort of.
That’s because the brash head honcho announced that the reason for McGregor’s removal from the monumental pay-per-view (PPV) event is because the fiery Irishman refused to leave Iceland to attend a press conference stateside to promote the Diaz rematch. Hence the whole retirement thing.
It didn’t take long for MMA stars to hit Twitter and offer their mixed reactions.
I for one am not surprised by this UFC vs. McGregor thing. Writing was on the wall awhile ago.
— Joe Ferraro (@ShowdownJoe) April 20, 2016
But seriously. It’s April. Fight’s in July. And you’re gonna tell me they’re pulling McGregor purely because he won’t do press? C’mon son.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) April 20, 2016
Ever been to Iceland? I wouldn’t want to leave either. Good on ya, Conor.
— Ryan Loco (@RyanLoco) April 20, 2016
If they will make it the new main event I’ll fight an actual rabid animal at UFC200. I want 1/10 of whatever Conor did.
— Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) April 20, 2016
I also offer to wear the McGregor tattoos and fight vs Nate Diaz if we can do a catch weight. Hell I’ll even get the ACTUAL tattoos for $$$
— Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) April 20, 2016
If true, that canceled flight from Ireland to Vegas cost a few million bucks for Conor. That’s why I hate the airlines. The secret fees.
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) April 20, 2016
Need a add on fight for July I’ll be ready #FightersFight https://t.co/FLo9hdBk16
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) April 20, 2016
Everyone on my newsfeed like… Hahahaha pic.twitter.com/IPuwRxHwqq
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) April 20, 2016
This is blow up @FloCombat‘s own @jeremybotter always warned us abt. He deserves credit. Dana called him a “weirdo” for telling truth
— FrontRowBrian (@FrontRowBrian) April 20, 2016
Dear Dana,
I’m pretty open July 9th. Have this thing June 18th in Canada. But after that I’m Game the Fuck ON!!!— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) April 20, 2016
Well fuck it, I have decided to retire old. Thanks for the shoes @Reebok
— Coach (@CMPunk) April 19, 2016
Poor @TheNotoriousMMA must not be getting enough attention lately so he has to joke about being the quitter he really is. #ufc
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) April 19, 2016
I’m available for #UFC200 #suckerpunchking to the rescue
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) April 19, 2016
USADA did you get yourself another one ?!?!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 20, 2016
People who claimed the media was making up a story of tension between Conor & the UFC, where you at?
— Mike Chiappetta MMA (@MikeChiappetta) April 20, 2016
Did someone finally take power away from the UFC? What’s going on here? Time for a Union https://t.co/thhIYXtCld
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) April 19, 2016
Hey @CMPunk I hear they r adding an extra fight at #ufc200. This is me asking 4 it. You wanna do the same? @danawhite @lorenzofertitta @ufc
— Mickey Gall (@mickeygall) April 20, 2016
I’ll fight Nate! Let me get that!!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) April 20, 2016
I’m down to scrap a southpaw at #UFC200 @danawhite
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) April 20, 2016
@TheNotoriousMMA just retired @NateDiaz209 let’s give @ufc 200 a real epic street fight in the cage @arielhelwani
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) April 19, 2016
I remember it like it was yesterday when Conor, Rousey and Sage could do no wrong. My oh my how things have changed. WOW
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 20, 2016
So it seems the McGregor retirement rumor is true. My thoughts? It’s about the ca$h. Goes to UFC wanting more money & they said no. #UFC200
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) April 20, 2016
That face u make when the monster u created disobeys your commands. #UFC200 #InvictaFC17 #ThisisWhy #ConorMcGregor pic.twitter.com/bi0oJPfwFp
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) April 20, 2016
Sooo @NateDiaz209 what do you have going on the night of UFC 200 🙂 @ufc @danawhite https://t.co/uh4ZzvMnYN
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) April 20, 2016
Hey @TheNotoriousMMA you want to set up a bareknuckle boxing fight now that you are retired from UFC??? Let me know
— Cody McKenzie (@thecodymckenzie) April 20, 2016
Give Me and Dos Anjos the Main Event Spot @ufc Ready to Be Violent !!! #Phillyfighter
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) April 20, 2016
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) April 20, 2016
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) April 20, 2016
Don’t say this guy didn’t warn you!