UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor retires….wait, what???
The mixed martial arts community has watched UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor grow from a loud talking prospect to the most popular fighter in the sport. All in the space of three years too.
‘The Notorious’ started his UFC conquest with a knockout win over Marcus Brimage in 2013, and has steadily risen to the top up until March 5. His knockout win over Jose Aldo at UFC 194 really propelled McGregor in to the atmosphere in terms of popularity, but he would taste defeat in his next fight.
Facing Nate DIaz in the UFC 196 main event, the Irish superstar was exposed on the ground. He ate some big shots from the taller and naturally bigger Nate Diaz in the Las Vegas PPV card, ending up in big trouble against the far more accomplished grappler.
Diaz locked in a fight ending choke in the second round, as an exhausted McGregor tapped out and his win streak finally came to an end.
Made in adversity. pic.twitter.com/eDcWdDeN9P
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 17, 2016
‘The Notorious’ was humble but clearly hurt in defeat, and it was only weeks before he was calling for a rematch with Diaz. Once again taking place at welterweight, the second scheduled fight between Diaz and McGregor would hold up the featherweight title once again.
But then just today Conor McGregor dropped a bombshell…
