Former UFC star Ben Askren expects to see Conor McGregor vs. Justin Gaethje on 'Fight Island' and believes the Irishman's sudden retirement is a negotiating ploy.
McGregor, 31, took to social media to announce his retirement from mixed martial arts - the third retirement of his professional career.
Advert
He penned an emotional statement on Twitter, but many MMA critics aren't convinced 'The Notorious' is done with the UFC.
Ex-Bellator welterweight champion and UFC fighter Askren reckons McGregor is negotiating with the promotion and anticipates him to return to the Octagon for a huge bout on 'Fight Island'.
On Twitter, he wrote: "See he is negotiating. I'm expecting Conor vs Justin in July on Fight Island."
McGregor says the UFC should have booked him against Gaethje for the interim UFC lightweight title to keep the "ball rolling."
Advert
"They should have just kept the ball rolling. I mean, why are they pushing [Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje] back to September?" He explained.
"You know what's going to happen in September, something else is going to happen in September, and that's not going to happen.
"I laid out a plan and a method that was the right move, the right methods to go with. And they always want to balk at that and not make it happen or just drag it on. Whatever I say, they want to go against it to show some kind of power. They should have just done the fight - me and Justin for the interim title - and just kept the ball rolling."
Gaethje, who beat Tony Ferguson to claim the interim UFC lightweight title last month, wasted no time in reacting to McGregor's supposed retirement. He hit out at the former UFC double champion.
Advert
"Thankfully all of the elderly are still hiding in their homes. This guy is on another bender #propershit," he said on Twitter.
Will McGregor come out of retirement? Watch this space.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor Mcgregor, Justin Gaethje, UFC News, Fight News, UFC, MMA, Dana White
