sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Dana White Responds To Conor McGregor Claiming He's Retired From MMA

Dana White Responds To Conor McGregor Claiming He's Retired From MMA

The UFC president has issued his statement on his top star announcing he's calling it quits...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

UFC president Dana White has responded to Conor McGregor announcing his MMA career is over and done with.

Still serving a UFC suspension for his part in the melee after his defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov, The Notorious took to Twitter to write: "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!"

In 2016, the Irishman pulled the same trick when he wrote the following: "I have decided to retire young. Thanks for the cheese. Catch ya's later."

This time however, White, who has a close relationship with his top star, issued a statement to ESPN's Brett Okamoto through a text message and he's backed McGregor's decision.

"He has the money to retire, and his whiskey is KILLIN [sic]' it," White commented.

"It totally makes sense. If I was him, I would retire too. 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."

If McGregor is indeed serious about retirement, it means his final fight in MMA will be the humiliating loss to Khabib at UFC 229 in October.

But his statement contradicts his recent comments regarding a return to the Octagon. He talked about making his comeback in July and said he was even prepared to fight in the co-main event.

During a 30 minute Q&A in Chicago as part of a promotional tour for his Proper 12 whiskey over the St Patrick's Day festivities, as per Mike Pendleton of BJPenn.com McGregor said:

"I'm ready to fight, I've said that. No problem. If the UFC wants me to slide into that co-main event slot and help, what that is, if I slide into the co-main event it's boosting their brand over fighter rhetoric that they have.

"There's no problem with that. If they want me to push that and I have no problem pushing that, give me my rightful shares in the UFC company. That's all I ask. You can put me on the first fight of ESPN+ but just give me my shares. So, we'll see what happens."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, UFC News, MMA News, Boxing, UFC, Dana White, Floyd Mayweather