3rd retirement in 4 years for 'Notorious' UFC champion Conor McGregor

Announcing his third retirement in four years, Conor McGregor made his latest dubious declaration Sunday morning on his Twitter account. The former two-division UFC champion had also announced his retirement in 2016 and 2019.

In a photo shared of him and his mother, McGregor wrote, “Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting. Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!”

June 7, 2020

McGregor revitalized his combat sports career in January with a first-round stoppage of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 246. The 31-year-old Irish star (22-4) hadn't won a fight in a mixed martial arts cage or a boxing ring since 2016, however, he remained the UFC's brightest star and biggest financial draw.

UFC President Dana White has already said McGregor is next in line for a title shot at the winner of lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov's bout with Justin Gaethje this summer.

While the UFC's schedule is in upheaval due to the coronavirus pandemic, McGregor was expected to get his title shot later this year. He recently had been talking to White about taking another fight even earlier. 

About retirement, White was still willing to take it at face value when he learned about it. “If Conor McGregor feels he wants to retire, you know my feelings about retirement,” White said. "You should absolutely do it. And I love Conor. ... There’s a handful of people that have made this really fun for me, and he’s one of them.”

Earlier McGregor had announced his retirement in April 2016 during a spat with the UFC over the promotion of his rematch with Nate Diaz. He wrote: "I have decided to retire young. Thanks for the cheese. Catch ya’s later.” McGregor and Diaz fought in August 2016.

Three years later, McGregor announced his retirement again in March 2019. However, White believed it was a gambit to entice the UFC to offer him an ownership stake in the company.