MMA Community Reacts to Conor McGregor’s Retirement and Pull From UFC 200

By Adam Guillen Jr. | 1:22 pm, April 20, 2016

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In what was a rather unusual day in mixed martial arts (MMA) news, which all began with Conor McGregor’s decision to “retire young,” Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White put the cherry on top when he announced that “Notorious” had been pulled from his UFC 200 rematch against Nate Diaz on July 9, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Full details on that here.

Upon hearing the news White delivered on ESPN’s “SportCenter,” the pieces started to fall into place … sort of.

That’s because the brash head honcho announced that the reason for McGregor’s removal from the monumental pay-per-view (PPV) event is because the fiery Irishman refused to leave Iceland to attend a press conference stateside to promote the Diaz rematch. Hence the whole retirement thing.

It didn’t take long for MMA stars to hit Twitter and offer their mixed reactions.

I for one am not surprised by this UFC vs. McGregor thing. Writing was on the wall awhile ago.

— Joe Ferraro (@ShowdownJoe) April 20, 2016

But seriously. It's April. Fight's in July. And you're gonna tell me they're pulling McGregor purely because he won't do press? C'mon son.

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) April 20, 2016

Ever been to Iceland? I wouldn't want to leave either. Good on ya, Conor.

— Ryan Loco (@RyanLoco) April 20, 2016

If they will make it the new main event I'll fight an actual rabid animal at UFC200. I want 1/10 of whatever Conor did.

— Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) April 20, 2016

I also offer to wear the McGregor tattoos and fight vs Nate Diaz if we can do a catch weight. Hell I'll even get the ACTUAL tattoos for $$$

— Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) April 20, 2016

Need a add on fight for July I'll be ready ???????????????????? #FightersFight https://t.co/FLo9hdBk16

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) April 20, 2016

Everyone on my newsfeed like… Hahahaha pic.twitter.com/IPuwRxHwqq

— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) April 20, 2016

https://twitter.com/FrontRowBrian/status/722581785255632896

Dear Dana,
I'm pretty open July 9th. Have this thing June 18th in Canada. But after that I'm Game the Fuck ON!!!

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) April 20, 2016

Well fuck it, I have decided to retire old. Thanks for the shoes @Reebok

— Coach (@CMPunk) April 19, 2016

Poor @TheNotoriousMMA must not be getting enough attention lately so he has to joke about being the quitter he really is. #ufc

— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) April 19, 2016

I'm available for #UFC200 #suckerpunchking to the rescue

— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) April 19, 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

I'll fight Nate! Let me get that!!

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) April 20, 2016

@TheNotoriousMMA just retired @NateDiaz209 let's give @ufc 200 a real epic street fight in the cage @arielhelwani

— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) 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

— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) April 20, 2016

That face u make when the monster u created disobeys your commands. #UFC200 #InvictaFC17 #ThisisWhy #ConorMcGregor pic.twitter.com/bi0oJPfwFp

— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) April 20, 2016

Hey @TheNotoriousMMA you want to set up a bareknuckle boxing fight now that you are retired from UFC??? Let me know

— Cody McKenzie (@thecodymckenzie) April 20, 2016