UFC fans were overjoyed to learn last month that Irishman Conor McGregor, the top Mixed Martial Arts star, would have his revenge against North American Nate Diaz, the man who took away his undefeated. But the illusion faded with the featherweight champion’s retirement announcement.
The 27-year-old Irish fighter himself assured through Twitter that he was leaving the activity. «I have decided to retire young, thanks for the cheese (money). See you later, “he wrote on the social network.
I have decided to retire young.
Thanks for the cheese.
Catch ya’s later.– Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 19, 2016
As if that were not enough, Nate Díaz also sent a message of a possible withdrawal from the Octagons. I guess my work here is done. I’m retiring too, “said the American fighter who took McGregor’s unbeaten record on March 5.
I guess my work here is done I’m retiring too✌🏼️👊🏼
– Nathan Diaz (@ NateDiaz209) April 19, 2016
The scandal erupted when Dana White, head of this sport, officially excluded his most media fighter from the UFC 200, which will take place on July 9 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
It turns out that McGregor flatly refused to leave his training camp in Iceland to attend promotional activities, press conferences and other appointments that would alter his preparation for the fight.
“Conor didn’t want to come to Vegas and shoot the commercial or be part of any of the marketing that we have. Obviously there is still a good relationship with him. I respect them as a fighter. But you can’t decide not to show up to these things. He has to do them, “White said in an interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
The official statement of the competition was as follows: “UFC President Dana White has announced that featherweight champion Conor McGregor has been expelled from the main UFC 200 fight against Nate Diaz to be held on July 9.”
In the letter, the UFC also announced that the fights of José Aldo and Frankie Edgar for the interim featherweight title, and the fight for the women’s bantamweight title between Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes, in addition to the fight of the Spaniard. Enrique Marín against Sage Northcutt.
Dana White will try to get Nate Díaz a rival to keep him in the role, although the retirement of Mc Gregor would be a very hard blow for the UFC, since he is the top star of this discipline that is in full expansion. It remains to be seen if the Irishman’s reaction is final or just a negotiating tactic. (INFOBAE)