When Conor McGregor announced his retirement on Twitter on Wednesday, the news was met with skepticism from fans and other athletes on social media.
Though McGregor’s intention to retire has not yet been officially confirmed, the featherweight champion was pulled from UFC 200 on Wednesday by UFC president Dana White. The announcement of his removal came after the cryptic tweet, but White said the change was a result of McGregor’s failure to appear at a mandatory press conference.
As the UFC searches for a replacement for the main event of the July 9 fight, other MMA fighters reacted to the situation on Twitter.
I guess my work here is done I'm retiring too✌🏼️👊🏼
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) April 19, 2016
I'm not retiring.
— LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) April 19, 2016
@TheNotoriousMMA You're rich, you're young and you won't have to work for the rest of your life……. WELL PLAYED! @ParadigmSM
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) April 20, 2016
I remember it like it was yesterday when Conor, Rousey and Sage could do no wrong. My oh my how things have changed. WOW
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 20, 2016
Did someone finally take power away from the UFC? What's going on here? Time for a Union https://t.co/thhIYXtCld
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) April 19, 2016
So it seems the McGregor retirement rumor is true. My thoughts? It's about the ca$h. Goes to UFC wanting more money & they said no. #UFC200
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) April 20, 2016
Ego is the death of everything. Good for Conor if all this is true https://t.co/QZ4gvsi3Rd
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) April 20, 2016
Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers also weighed in.
@TheNotoriousMMApic.twitter.com/3BghAWPyI8
— Lance McCullers Jr. (@lmccullers43) April 19, 2016
If McGregor follows through with the decision to retire, he would end his career with a UFC record of 7–1.