UPDATE: Connor McGregor is officially out of UFC 200. Dana White made the announcement on ESPN Sportscenter.
BREAKING NEWS: UFC pulls @TheNotoriousMMA from #UFC200. @danawhite on @SportsCenter now.
— UFC (@ufc) April 19, 2016
Here is our story as it appeared at 4:30 PM EST
The world of MMA has been thrown a curveball today, as Conor McGregor may have made a stunning announcement. He apparently announced an intention to walk away from the Octagon via his twitter account.
I have decided to retire young.
Thanks for the cheese.
Catch ya’s later.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 19, 2016
Conor McGregor Tweets About Retirement; Multiple Reports Appear to Confirm
When McGregor made the tweet, many speculated that this was just a joke or troll job in order to get some publicity and further hype his re-match with Nate Diaz, set for July’s UFC 200 extravaganza. McGregor, the UFC Featherweight Champion, lost to Diaz in a catchweight bout at UFC 196. Many have speculated that this tweet is merely to create more hype for one of the most hyped UFC Pay-Per-Views of all-time, while others have suggested that this is simply a negotiating tactic to get more money out of the promotion.
According to Ariel Helwani, that is not the case.
Multiple sources are adamant at this time that McGregor’s tweet isn’t a joke, troll job or hoax of any kind. Reason(s) behind it is unclear.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 19, 2016
McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh also took to twitter with this tweet.
Well was fun while it lasted
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) April 19, 2016
McGregor’s rival Nate Diaz also took to twitter to announce his retirement, or perhaps it was just a tongue in cheek response to McGregor.
I guess my work here is done I’m retiring too✌?️??
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) April 19, 2016
CM Punk also had a cheeky response for McGregor
Well fuck it, I have decided to retire old. Thanks for the shoes @Reebok
— Coach (@CMPunk) April 19, 2016
Some who believe the news, are pointing to the recent death of Joao Carvalho as a possible reason for this decision. Carvalho passed away due to injuries suffered in a fight with McGregor’s teammate Charlie Ward.
McGregor posted the following, following the tragedy, via Facebook:
Terrible news regarding Joao Carvalho.
To see a young man doing what he loves, competing for a chance at a better life, and then to have it taken away is truly heartbreaking.
We are just men and women doing something we love in the hope of a better life for ourselves and our families. Nobody involved in combat sports of any kind wants to see this. It is such a rare occurrence that I don’t know how to take this.
I was ringside supporting my teammate, and the fight was so back and forth, that I just can’t understand it.My condolences go out to Joao’s family and his team. Their man was a hell of a fighter and will be sorely missed by all.
Combat sport is a crazy game and with the recent incident in boxing and now this in MMA, it is a sad time to be a fighter and a fight fan.
It is easy for those on the outside to criticise our way of living, but for the millions of people around the world who have had their lives, their health, their fitness and their mental strength all changed for the better through combat, this is truly a bitter pill to swallow. We have lost one of us.I hope we remember Joao as a champion, who pursued his dream doing what he loved, and show him the eternal respect and admiration he deserves.
Rest in peace, Joao.
Stay tuned to LWOS, we will have more to come on this developing story.
With files from Aaron Weinbaum.
Main Photo: BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 18: Conor McGregor of Ireland reacts after defeating Dennis Siver of Germany in their featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at the TD Garden on January 18, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
