‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor has announced his retirement from fighting for a third time ahead of a potential Octagon return this summer.
In April 2016, McGregor said he was done with the sport, following a feud with Ultimate Fighting Championship over the media responsibilities for his UFC 200 clash against Nate Diaz.
Another announcement of his retirement came three years later as the promotion denied the Irish star a right to own company stocks. McGregor went on to return to the UFC in January 2020, when he made quick work of Donald Cerrone in their main event welterweight bout.
On Saturday night, the former two-division champ took to Twitter and said he is hanging up his gloves again, moments after the UFC 250 fight card went down in Las Vegas.
“Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting. Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been! Here is a picture of myself and my mother in Las Vegas post one of my World title wins! Pick the home of your dreams. Mags I love you! Whatever you desire it’s yours,” McGregor said.
Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting.
Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!
Here is a picture of myself and my mother in Las Vegas post one of my World title wins!
Pick the home of your dreams Mags I love you!
Whatever you desire it’s yours ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Dh4ijsZacZ— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 7, 2020
Leaving
Conor McGregor wasn’t the first fighter to leave the UFC this month as current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has also announced he is out of the competition and is vacating his title.
This came after Dana White claimed Jones was asking for a $30 million paycheck for a super fight against Francis Ngannou.
“Don’t be a f**king liar. My reputation has already taken enough hits. I don’t need this bullsh*t, Dana. I never asked for Deontay Wilder’s numbers. And how about since Deontay is making $30 million, we settle for half of that. Since you said I’m the GOAT and everything.”
“I don’t even make half of half of what Diante Wilder makes. If my reputation causes you to undervalue me this much. Just go ahead and release me from my @Ufc contract altogether. I’m sure some promoter somewhere will be more than happy to pick me up,” Jones said.
UFC megastar Jon Jones vacates light-heavyweight title and hints at switch to boxinghttps://t.co/RWAyYULJbx pic.twitter.com/69JhCw7gFw
— Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) June 1, 2020
Release
Meanwhile, ‘BMF’ champion Jorge Masvidal has demanded a release from the UFC as he revealed the company offered him ‘half’ of what he earned from Nate Diaz fight to face Kamaru Usman.
“I’m not an independent contractor if I can’t go anywhere else to make a living. Let me go and let me see if I’m worth it,” he wrote on Twitter.
“I fought in backyards and those dudes never disrespected me the way I’m being now.”
Jorge Masvidal has asked to be released from the UFC.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/c1DZbWKmya
— Lewis Simpson MMA (@LGS_MMA) June 5, 2020
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Conor McGregor)