Conor McGregor dropped a single tweet that rocked the entire MMA world.
The Notorious claimed he was taking early retirement from the game, thanking everyone for ‘the cheese’.
Without any official explanation, UFC fans and pundits alike have been left scratching round for answers.
Respected MMA journalist Ariel Helwani was adamant that this retirement was not a hoax, according to his multiple sources.
In the absence of any concrete confirmation, the fan theories have begun to surface about whether McGregor is really serious about quitting the sport he has ignited.
I have decided to retire young.
Thanks for the cheese.
Catch ya's later.— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 19, 2016
Some believe it could be genuine and attribute his presence ringside at a Dublin MMA event where a Portuguese fighter lost his life following a fight against his SBG stablemate Charlie Ward.
Others reckon that it’s just one huge PR stunt/troll job.
But there’s one theory that has developed some traction online – and that’s apparently that McGregor is embroiled in some sort of dispute with Dana White or the UFC top brass.
Previously both White and McGregor have come out and said their relationship is good – and that business is even better.
But “The Herd” host Colin Cowherd has taken a stab at it, claiming he believes that McGregor is faking his retirement because of a dispute over an unknown issue.
“You know what this feels like to me? A disagreement with Dana White and Conor McGregor. This feels like some sort of dispute.
“When you’re at the height of your athletic peak, you generally don’t retire, and you certainly don’t do it without a smartly, well-crafted PR release.
“This seems like two guys got into an argument – I’m just guessing here – and Conor McGregor, ticked-off, went to his Twitter account.
If you’re going to retire, and you’re Conor McGregor, the only reason you would go to Twitter, is for a reaction,” he concluded.
“To have the ego to fight, you’ve got to believe your retirement is worth more than that, and is bigger news than that.”
McGregor, who is currently out in Iceland with SBG teammates, is apparently supposed to be in America in the next few days to promote his UFC 200 rematch with Nate Diaz.
Reasons still unclear, but 4 hours later, multiple sources maintaining McGregor's tweet is real. UFC working on next step(s) at this time.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 19, 2016
Worth noting: both McGregor and Diaz were scheduled to be in Vegas this weekend to promote their rematch.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 19, 2016
But something is going on with the featherweight champion – whether it is just a hoax or whether there’s more too it.
There has been an official silence from McGregor, his coach John Kavanagh, the UFC and Dana White.
Whatever was going on behind the scenes, fans are speculating that it may be Georges St Pierre-related.
Former UFC fighter Dan Hardy sent this tweet out…
I reckon the UFC moved his fight from the main event in favor of GSP… and he's not happy. 😉 https://t.co/s46HfPnvnT
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) April 19, 2016
Then others followed suit with GSP theories…
https://twitter.com/ChrisJohnMilly/status/722542488129560576
https://twitter.com/_Mister__x__/status/722569035808841729
This can only mean one thing, Conor's next fight will be against GSP. #hooterknows
— hooter311 (@Hooter311) April 19, 2016
Im still putting my money on this Conor drama having to do with GSP being the highest payed #UFC200 fighter or new main event. @arielhelwani
— MosportMike (@MosportMike) April 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/JackWFarrell/status/722567223471054848
