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SPORTS Wednesday 27 March 2019
Conor McGregor announces retirement on social media

By GREG BEACHAM retirement, McGregor ap-
AP Sports Writer peared on “The Tonight
LOS ANGELES (AP) — UFC Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”
superstar Conor McGregor in New York and claimed
announced his retirement he was negotiating for a
on social media Monday probable fight in July at
night, abruptly ending his UFC 239 in Las Vegas.
remarkable fighting career. “I don’t necessarily need
In a post on his verified Twit- to fight,” McGregor said on
ter account, the former the show. “I am set for life.
UFC featherweight and My family is set for life. We
lightweight champion said: are good, but I am eager
“I’ve decided to retire from to fight, so we’ll see what
the sport formally known as happens.”
‘Mixed Martial Art’ today.” McGregor has quit his sport
The post wishes his “old col- before. He announced his
leagues well going forward retirement on Twitter in April
in competition,” and says 2016 during a dispute with
he would “join my former the UFC about the promo-
partners on this venture, al- tion of his next proposed
ready in retirement. Proper bout. He reversed his de-
Pina Coladas on me fellas!” cision two days later and
The name of the drink in the fought in August 2016, win-
post appears to be a refer- ning his rematch with Nate In this Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, Conor McGregor walks out of the arena after he was defeated by
ence to Proper No. Twelve Diaz. Khabib Nurmagomedov in a lightweight title mixed martial arts bout at UFC 229 in Las Vegas.
Whiskey, the loquacious White believes this retire- Associated Press
Irishman’s burgeoning li- ment is genuine, and Mc-
quor venture. Gregor has had plenty of
UFC President Dana White action outside the cage to
said in a text message to occupy his time.
The Associated Press that In April 2018, McGregor
McGregor’s announce- was charged with assault
ment “totally makes sense.” and criminal mischief after
“He has the money to re- he attacked a bus carry-
tire, and his whiskey is KIL- ing UFC fighters outside
LIN it,” White added. “If I Barclays Arena in Brooklyn.
was him, I would retire too. McGregor was acting in
He’s retiring from fighting. revenge for a perceived
Not from working. The Whis- slight against a teammate,
key will keep him busy, and and he eventually pleaded
I’m sure he has other things no contest to a count of
he’s working on. He has disorderly conduct.
been so fun to watch!!! He Earlier this month, Mc-
has accomplished incred- Gregor was arrested again
ible things in this sport. I am in Miami Beach for stealing
so happy for him and I look the phone of someone try-
forward to seeing him be ing to take his photo, au-
as successful outside of the thorities said. McGregor
octagon as he was in it.” was charged with robbery
The 30-year-old McGregor and criminal mischief, but
is the most famous fighter in his attorney described the
his sport, but he hasn’t won altercation as minor.
a fight since November McGregor also was sus-
2016, when he beat Eddie pended from MMA com-
Alvarez to become the first petition for six months and
UFC fighter to hold champi- fined $50,000 for his role in a
onship belts in two divisions brawl instigated by Nurma-
simultaneously. gomedov immediately af-
His only fight in 2017 was ter their bout last October.
a loss to boxer Floyd May- If it sticks, McGregor’s retire-
weather in the richest fight ment ends a remarkable
in boxing history. He finally rise for the former plumber
returned to the UFC cage from Dublin who became
last October, but lost a the biggest star in MMA
lightweight title fight to with his heavy fists and self-
Khabib Nurmagomedov promotional acumen. He
via submission in the fourth won 15 consecutive fights
round. during his rise, including
McGregor was widely ex- a spectacular 13-second
pected to fight for the UFC knockout of Jose Aldo to
later this year. A few hours win the featherweight title
before he announced his in December 2015.q