The MMA community reacts to Conor McGregor retiring from MMA

By Tom Taylor - March 26, 2019

Late on Monday night, former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor announced that he is retiring from MMA. It is his intention, he says, to focus his energy on his other ventures.

Conor McGregor

McGregor made this surprising announcement on social media.

“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 on Twitter.

It did not take long for the MMA community to react to this surprising news. Here are some of the best reactions:

https://twitter.com/ElvisSinosic/status/1110441235469066240

Needless to say, the reactions to this news are mixed. Some are content to wish Conor McGregor well in his next chapter, while others hope he’ll stick around, and others still just don’t believe him.

UFC President Dana White seems to believe the Irishman’s announcement — or at least he’s pretending to.

“He has the money to retire and his whiskey is killing it. It totally makes sense. If I was him, I would retire too.” White told ESPN. “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.”

Do you think Conor McGregor is really retiring?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 3/26/2019. 

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

Previous Post

Next Post

Topics:

Conor McGregor UFC

Related

Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria calls out Joe Rogan: "UFC never offered me this fight"

Zain Bando - May 1, 2024
Steve Erceg
UFC

Steve Erceg expects "bottles to be thrown" at him after he upsets Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301

Cole Shelton - May 1, 2024

Steve Erceg is expecting a hostile crowd on Saturday when he faces Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title in the main event of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Erceg knows Brazilian fans like to get loud and chant ‘You Will Die’ in Portuguese to the opposing fighters. With Erceg fighting for the belt and being the main event, he’s expecting to get booed. Not only is he expecting to get booed, but Erceg thinks people will be throwing stuff at him after he finishes Pantoja at UFC 301.

Alexander Volkanovski and Jose Aldo
Jose Aldo

Alexander Volkanovski calls Jose Aldo the featherweight GOAT ahead of UFC 301

Cole Shelton - May 1, 2024

Alexander Volkanovski hails Jose Aldo as the greatest featherweight of all time. Volkanovski defeated Aldo en route to winning the featherweight title, and both are in the conversation of being the greatest ever. However, Volkanovski says he still has to give it to Aldo due to the length of his title reign, and being so dominant in wins makes him the featherweight GOAT.

Michael Bisping
Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping taking Alexandre Pantoja to retain flyweight title: "He’s a nasty bastard"

Zain Bando - May 1, 2024

Michael Bisping is all too familiar with playing the underdog role. Despite Steve Erceg’s (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) similar position Saturday at UFC 301, Bisping said he plans to go conservative and pick Alexandre Pantoja (27-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) to defend his flyweight title in his home country of Brazil. “Alexandre Pantoja, this man’s phenomenal,” Michael Bisping said.  “He’s pretty much gone through the entire flyweight division.  Brandon Moreno, the Royvals, the Kapes.  You name it, he’s been there and done it. He’s got no weak areas.  He’s got a strong mind.  He’s resilient.  He’s got an amazing gas tank.  He can strike.  He can wrestle.  He’s got world-class jiu-jitsu, and he’s a nasty bastard on top of it.”

Anthony Smith
UFC

Anthony Smith calls UFC fans 'stupid' over relentless criticism of his takes and career

Curtis Calhoun - May 1, 2024

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith’s relationship with fans has become fractured in recent years. Smith will face Vitor Petrino at UFC 301 this Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. He returns looking to snap a recent skid of losses in three of his last four fights, including a knockout loss to Khalil Rountree in December.

Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg UFC 301

UFC 301 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg title fight

Cole Shelton - May 1, 2024
Max Holloway, Ilia Topuria
Max Holloway

Max Holloway hits back after Ilia Topuria questions his desire to fight for the featherweight belt: 'You're spiraling!'

Curtis Calhoun - May 1, 2024

BMF titleholder Max Holloway wasn’t one to hold animosity toward other UFC fighters, until Ilia Topuria claimed the featherweight throne. Holloway earned the BMF belt by knocking out Justin Gaethje with one second left at UFC 300 last month. The win was his first career UFC lightweight victory and opened up many options for his next fight.

Alexander Volkanovski, Steve Erceg
UFC

Alexander Volkanovski proposes a unique route for Steve Erceg to win the UFC flyweight title at UFC 301

Curtis Calhoun - May 1, 2024

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski detailed how Steve Erceg can drop jaws and secure the flyweight belt at UFC 301. Erceg will face UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in the UFC 301 main event on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. The No. 10 flyweight got the title shot despite a small sample size inside the UFC Octagon, capped off by a recent knockout of Matt Schnell.

Daniel Cormier, Alex Pereira
Daniel Cormier

WATCH | Alex Pereira outwrestles Daniel Cormier at UFC 301 media day

Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2024

It appears that UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has better wrestling than Daniel Cormier believed. ‘Poatan’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 300 last month. In the headliner of the historic event, Alex Pereria faced former champion Jamahal Hill. Ultimately, it took the Brazilian less than a round to knock out ‘Sweet Dreams’. However, Hill later stated that Herb Dean’s refereeing played a role in the defeat.

Jose Aldo
UFC

Jose Aldo turned down million-dollar payday to make return at UFC 301: "We had a lot of offers"

Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2024

Former featherweight champion Jose Aldo felt that he had to return to the UFC. ‘Junior’ famously retired from MMA after a unanimous decision defeat against Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022. For the next two years or so, Jose Aldo competed in the boxing ring. He compiled a 2-0-1 record and was in discussions for exhibitions with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Instead, the former champion will return to the UFC.