“We will see how permanent it is. If he wants to retire forever, he’s more than earned it.”
Earlier today, UFC star Conor McGregor posted a cryptic Tweet claiming that he had retired from mixed martial arts competition.
“Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today,” McGregor wrote. “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!”
Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today.
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!— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 26, 2019
‘The Notorious’ posted a similar Tweet back in 2016, but ended up competing in the UFC for another two years.
Many feel this could be a negotiation tactic from McGregor, as the Irishman recently stated that he wants shares ‘in the UFC company.’
UFC president Dana White, however, seemed to hint that McGregor is serious about retiring.
“He has the money to retire and his whiskey is KILLIN it. It totally makes sense. If I was him I would retire too,” White posted. “He’s retiring from fighting. Not from working. The Whiskey will keep him busy and I’m sure he has other things he’s working on.
“He has been so fun to watch!!! He has accomplished incredible things in this sport. I am so happy for him and I look forward to seeing him be as successful outside of the octagon as he was in it.”
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, however, isn’t so sure if McGregor is serious, but if he is, ‘Rowdy’ feels the former ‘champ-champ’ has done more than enough to earn it.
Second round is on me https://t.co/1liGxXhVTG
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) March 26, 2019
“It’s a creative way to retire and it was a cryptic way to retire,” Rousey said on SportsCenter on Tuesday, per MMA Fighting. “We will see how permanent it is. If he wants to retire forever, he’s more than earned it. Like I said, I’m ready to buy the second round.”
McGregor, 30, last fought at the blockbuster UFC 229 pay-per-view, losing via submission to reigning lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. The former featherweight and lightweight champ is the biggest star in UFC history.