CNN)Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has announced his retirement from the game and posted the information on Twitter.
“Hey guys, quick statement: I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as ‘Mixed Martial Art’ these days,” wrote McGregor, 30, on the social media platform Tuesday.
“I desire all my old colleagues well going forward in opposition. I will now be a part of my former partners in this project, who are already retired. Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!”
The arguably Irish fighter, whose nickname is “The Notorious,” is ranked 8th at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) pound-for-pound listing. He leaves the game with a 21-four-zero record and UFC belts in two divisions.
McGregor’s declaration comes hours after an interview with Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show” in which the fighter claimed he was in negotiations for an upcoming fight.
McGregor told Fallon, “We’re in talks for July for my subsequent fight. We’ll see what happens. A lot of politics is occurring. The fight recreation is mad, but as I stated again to my fans, I am in form and equipped.”
UFC supremo Dana White sent a textual content message to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto announcing McGregor had done “outstanding things” in UFC.
“He has the cash to retire, and his whiskey is killin’ it,” stated White, referring to McGregor’s new business project after the fighter joined up with Eire Born Spirits to launch a whiskey logo, Proper No. Twelve.
It makes sense,’ added White. “If I turned into him, I could retire too. He’s retiring from fighting. Not from operating. The Whiskey will keep him busy, and I’m confident he has different things he’s working on.
“He has been so amusing to look at!!! He has carried out terrific matters in this game. 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.”
Turbulent 12 months
Earlier this month, McGregor — whose mother famously described them as being “born together with his fists clenched” — was arrested on charges of prison strong-armed robbery and crook mischief following an altercation with a photo-looking for the fan.
The fan and McGregor were leaving the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel. The fan tried photographing the fighter with a cell phone using a policy document. McGregor then slapped the smartphone out of the fan’s hand and stomped on the phone several times.
Last April, McGregor was charged with assault, attempted attack, and crook mischief after he and others allegedly attacked a bus carrying UFC fighters at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The incident left at least one athlete injured and unable to fight in the UFC 223 event two nights later.
McGregor’s remaining combat ended with a fourth-spherical loss to Russian fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was marred by unpleasant scenes following his defeat.
Both opponents obtained bans after a publish-fight brawl erupted — the Irishman turned into surpassed a six-month suspension and was fined $50,000, at the same time as his opponent was banned for nine months and fined $500,000 by using the Nevada Athletic Commission.
Storied career
The former trainee plumber, the Dubliner is widely considered one of the finest fighters to grace the UFC.
He also transcended disciplines, buying and selling the MMA octagon for the boxing ring and taking over the legendary fighter Floyd Mayweather. He lost that bout but gave the boxer a run for his money that few had predicted.
The UFC celebrity was crushed within the tenth round, going similarly to what many had expected against a fighter who notched up his 50th victory to take his record to 50-0.
“I’m always thinking about fighting,” McGregor informed CNN earlier than the multi-million dollar about last August.
“It’s just in me. I can’t stop considering it. Certain sequences, positive actions, and sure methods to put together. It’s a 24/7 attitude. That mindset has got me to who I am nowadays.”
McGregor attributes a great deal of his achievement to his background and upbringing and the fierce bond he feels with his family.
“The McGregor name is ancient regarding fight,” he says proudly. “Way returned, studying my circle of relatives’ names and examining my family’s history. We had been a feared extended family.
“At one level, having the surname McGregor becomes punishable via death. It’s in my blood to combat — and that’s it. It’s what my ancestors had been doing for a long time earlier than me,” he delivered.
“The Notorious” suffered the indignity of being stripped of his featherweight and lightweight belts—finishing his reign as the handiest fighter to hold UFC titles simultaneously—due to his selection to focus on the Mayweather boxing fit.