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Conor McGregor thread (MMA Talk Only - Read 1st Post Before Posting)

Axwell

With the recent addition of the Off-topic discussion thread, I am closing the current McGregor thread so that chat going forward can be located in the correct threads. This thread is for MMA related discussion only - any other gossip/showbiz type stories are to be discussed in the off topic thread.

Please make sure to review the updated charter before posting - there have been some amendments made in light of these changes and in posting here you are at all times expected to follow those rules and guidelines.

As before there is a strict rule on no chat to be had here about legal issues or court cases as per the charter - this is a strict no go regardless of where it has or hasn't been posted in the media it is not allowed on boards.ie at all. This is not up for debate and it has been said multiple times now.

Axwell

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Mr.Crinklewood

eagle eye wrote: »

I think you haven't a clue what he'll do. I think you'd not know anything about a major problem in the UFC either which is quite evident based on the recent moves by Cejudo, Jones, Masvidal and now McGregor. Even Sean O'Malley talking about how unhappy he is with his contract last night.
The thing with McGregor joining the ranks is the power is no longer with the UFC as regards the future, their sponsors and ESPN will be who decides what happens next.

Where did I state I know what he is doing?

EagererBeaver

BSK wrote: »

Win or lose you’ll pay to see him

Nope, vast majority of us here are stroking our sports packages.

robwen

UFC star Conor McGregor says he's retiring from fighting

ARIEL HELWANI
ESPN Staff Writer

It appears as though Conor McGregor has had enough.
Moments after the conclusion of UFC 250 early Sunday, McGregor tweeted that he was walking away from MMA.

On Sunday morning, McGregor told ESPN that he has lost his excitement for the sport.

"The game just does not excite me, and that's that," McGregor said. "All this waiting around. There's nothing happening. I'm going through opponent options, and there's nothing really there at the minute. There's nothing that's exciting me.

"They should have just kept the ball rolling. I mean, why are they pushing [Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje] back to September? You know what's going to happen in September, something else is going to happen in September, and that's not going to happen. I laid out a plan and a method that was the right move, the right methods to go with. And they always want to balk at that and not make it happen or just drag it on. Whatever I say, they want to go against it to show some kind of power. They should have just done the fight -- me and Justin for the interim title -- and just kept the ball rolling."

McGregor, 31, said he had written a draft of his retirement tweet two weeks ago and was "just tired" of the sport.

"I'm a bit bored of the game," he told ESPN. "I'm here watching the fight. I watched the last show -- the [Tyron-Woodley-Gilbert Burns] show -- I watched the show tonight. I'm just not excited about the game, Ariel. I don't know if it's no crowd. I don't know what it is. There's just no buzz for me."

This isn't the first time McGregor, UFC's former featherweight and lightweight champion, announced his retirement via Twitter.

He first walked away in March 2016 after deciding not to travel to the United States to take part in a news conference for his rematch against Nate Diaz. He eventually returned later that summer and defeated Diaz that August.

McGregor also retired via Twitter in April 2019 in the midst of negotiations with UFC, which were ultimately resolved, and he returned to action in January, defeating Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds.

McGregor's return versus Cerrone was a financial success for UFC. Prior to that fight, McGregor vowed to fight three times in 2020. He was targeting his second fight to happen July 11 in Las Vegas, but the coronavirus pandemic halted those plans.

"I had my goals, my plans, the season. I had everything laid out," McGregor said. "Obviously the world has gone bleeding bonkers at the minute. There's f--- all happening at the minute. They want to throw me up and down weights and offer me stupid fights. I don't really give a f---. I'm over it."

Over the past three months, McGregor has been vocal on social media about the pandemic and has been seen making huge donations to hospitals across his home country of Ireland. He has also shared videos and photos on social media of his workouts, including a video Saturday, and appears to be in fighting shape.

UFC president Dana White told reporters after UFC 250 that people have been acting strangely lately because of the pandemic. But if McGregor wants to retire, White said, then he should retire.

"Nobody is pressuring anybody to fight," White said. "And if Conor McGregor feels he wants to retire, you know my feelings about retirement -- 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."

White said "the amount of people that I have gunning at me right now is insane," referring to current UFC beefs with light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and star Jorge Masvidal.

"If that's what Conor is feeling right now -- Jon Jones, Jorge Masvidal, I feel you. It's not like I'm going, 'Holy s---, this is crazy, this is nuts,'" White said. "Nothing is crazy and nuts right now, because everything is crazy and nuts right now, on a certain level. I totally understand it and get it."

McGregor (22-4) has just two UFC losses, one to Nurmagomedov and one against Diaz, which he avenged. "The Notorious" became the first UFC fighter to hold titles in two weight classes at the same time when he knocked out Eddie Alvarez to win the lightweight belt at UFC 205 on Nov. 12, 2016.

Following Gaethje's win over Tony Ferguson last month at UFC 249, McGregor campaigned for a fight against UFC's new interim lightweight champion. One problem was that McGregor couldn't travel to the United States during the pandemic because he is currently in Ireland. To resolve this issue, not only for McGregor but for all international fighters, the promotion has been setting up what it has called "Fight Island" in an undisclosed location, and there was hope McGregor could fight there in July.

But the Gaethje fight has not materialized. UFC's current plan is to book Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje for the undisputed 155-pound title in September. White said earlier this week that the best path for McGregor might be to wait and face the winner of Nurmagomedov-Gaethje.

Former middleweight champion Anderson Silva challenged McGregor to a catchweight fight, which piqued McGregor's interest, as he first said in 2018.

Sources told ESPN that McGregor's management team has had numerous talks with UFC in the hope of securing McGregor's next fight in July, but the two sides are currently far apart on booking plans. Sources said money isn't an issue right now. Finding the opponent is.

"There's nothing there for me," McGregor said. "I'm trying to get excited. I'm trying my best. And when the Anderson one came along, I was like, yeah, s---, that's a mad fight. And then everyone said he's old and over the hill. I was, like, 'What? Fighting a former light heavyweight and the middleweight GOAT, and the actual GOAT in my eyes, that's not a rewardable fight?' And you know, you're actually right. It wouldn't be rewarded. I would go in there and put him away, Ariel, and then what would happen? They'd say he's old and he's over the hill and he's past his prime and all."

In the end, it appears the lack of a clear-cut opponent or proper timeline has left McGregor feeling frustrated.

"I don't know. It's just crazy," McGregor said. "I was cutting to 155, and then because I asked for 155, they wanted to show power and stomp all over me. I don't know why they do this. But it was taken from me and then pushed back. So then I'm thinking I don't want to be cutting if I'm fighting at 170. I have to be careful here. My body has to be correct to the weight. And then the 176 [Silva] talk. I'm just over it, man."

McGregor's team says he currently walks around at above 170 pounds.

The year couldn't have started out better for McGregor. UFC's top draw had returned to action and was poised to fight at least three times in a calendar year, which he had not done since 2016.

Now he says he's frustrated and has decided to hit pause on his plans, choosing to focus on his family instead.

"My mother is out there picking out a beautiful home, an absolute beautiful home, her dream home," McGregor said. "It would likely be her final home, my family's final home for them, a retirement home. I'm very, very proud to do this, and that's it.

"We'll see what the future holds. But for right now, for the immediate future, 2020, all the best to it."

ESPN's Marc Raimondi contributed to this report.

AbusesToilets

Whatever about the likely hood of him staying retired, his reasons for the announcement are pretty understandable. He wants to fight, and doesn't seem to be able to make that happen.

xtal191

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Whatever about the likely hood of him staying retired, his reasons for the announcement are pretty understandable. He wants to fight, and doesn't seem to be able to make that happen.

Theres plenty of fights out there for him, he doesn't deserve an interim fight against Gaethje and the Anderson fight is just ridiculous imo. He's acting like a spoilt child cause he's not getting his way.

He could easily fight a lightweight contender, Ferguson, Poirier, Oliveira etc and then fight the winner of Khabib and Gaethje.

snoopboggybog

All he's doing is throwing his toys out of the pram wanting a title fight.

If Gaethje beats Khabib he'll get the fight.
If Khabib wins Khabib wan't him to beat the other contenders first.

He's better off now fighting Porier, hooker, ferguson and waiting for the title fight. Stay away from the 170 pound division.

Mr. Karate

"The game just does not excite me," translation. Dana told me I had to fight someone worth a damn and actually earn a title shot.

Macdarack

BSK wrote: »

Win or lose you’ll pay to see him

No way, if that man was across a room from me I'd walk out. He brings shame to decent Irish people.
He notorious alright, a notorious assshole.

GiftofGab

Is there any point in watching the ufc anymore now that Conor has retired?

[Deleted User]

GiftofGab wrote: »

Is there any point in watching the ufc anymore now that Conor has retired?

None whatsoever for anyone who asks that question.

If you thought Conor McGregor was the only interesting thing about ufc, then you should never watch again.

You like McGregor, you don't like MMA.

eagle eye

Mr. Karate wrote:

"The game just does not excite me," translation. Dana told me I had to fight someone worth a damn and actually earn a title shot.

You mustn't have great reading skills. He wanted to fight Gaethje next but was told it's not happening.

2u2me

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Whatever about the likely hood of him staying retired, his reasons for the announcement are pretty understandable. He wants to fight, and doesn't seem to be able to make that happen.

Also it seems the fans is a big factor. I couldn't imagine him in an empty arena, he just wouldn't be the same surely.

billybonkers

Mr. Karate wrote: »

More likely he felt that Dana lowballed him and he decided to pull the "I'm retiring again" card to force a higher purse.

He is under contract though and agreed his number already

Mellor

Mr. Karate wrote: »

He should have to fight a contender to get a title shot.

Which is exactly what the Gaethje fight would be.

Man Vs ManUre

Come back Conor we love you. Even Khabib loves you!!

GiftofGab

Deleted User wrote: »

None whatsoever for anyone who asks that question.

If you thought Conor McGregor was the only interesting thing about ufc, then you should never watch again.

You like McGregor, you don't like MMA.

Mate just joking to wind a few people up. I do like watching McGregor fights more than any other fighter but also enjoy MMA.

Frank Bullitt

eagle eye wrote: »

You mustn't have great reading skills. He wanted to fight Gaethje next but was told it's not happening.

Was this before or after he fought Cowboy at 170?

If he has left over that, the "game" he talks about must be new to him, Gaethje has Khabib next, McGregor has to wait his turn, or fight someone else at 155. Simple as that.

ricero

Dan Hardy summed it up well on his open match show after ufc 250 as pure attention seeking due to the fact hes not in the spotlight anymore.

Homelander

It's idiotic. No reason he can't fight Dustin or Tony, they'd be massive fights.

No-one wants to see him fight Anderson Silva. I would take anyone in the top 15 in LW over that fight. Obviously fights against the likes of Dan Hooker or Paul Felder wouldn't be remotely as big or sellable as the top contenders, but still be interesting ones.

eagle eye

Gintonious wrote:

Was this before or after he fought Cowboy at 170?

After cowboy.

Gintonious wrote:

If he has left over that, the "game" he talks about must be new to him, Gaethje has Khabib next, McGregor has to wait his turn, or fight someone else at 155. Simple as that.

McGregor doesn't really care about titles, well it's secondary to money for him.
Cowboy was the best money spinner for him then, Gaethje would be now.
It's that simple. When they said no he wanted the Anderson Silva fight which would be big money but they said no again.
McGregor is not getting into the Octagon for a fight night with Poitier or Tony. There wouldn't be enough interest in seeing him face either of the two fighters that lost to Khabib or Gaethje. If it's not a big ppv generator he has no interest.
I predict he gets to fight Gaethje or Anderson Silva in August. UFC are losing too much money by letting him walk.

Man Vs ManUre

The timings just went all wrong on this, and surprised Conor didn’t foresee that. If he was able to get out of the country in April he should have stepped in for Khabib vs Ferguson. Now Khabib is due a fight so he has to take on the interim champ. A BMF title fight with Masvidal, or even a welterweight title fight vs Usman would fit in perfect now for July, but Conor must not be confident of winning either of them. Gatche is an ideal opponent now but he has earned a crack at the champ.

Man Vs ManUre

Come back Conor me love you long time.

weldoninhio

Mellor wrote: »

Which is exactly what the Gaethje fight would be.

Eh, Gaethje just fought the contender to get a title shot. Why should he put his chance on the line?

Frank Bullitt

eagle eye wrote: »

After cowboy.

McGregor doesn't really care about titles, well it's secondary to money for him.
Cowboy was the best money spinner for him then, Gaethje would be now.
It's that simple. When they said no he wanted the Anderson Silva fight which would be big money but they said no again.
McGregor is not getting into the Octagon for a fight night with Poitier or Tony. There wouldn't be enough interest in seeing him face either of the two fighters that lost to Khabib or Gaethje. If it's not a big ppv generator he has no interest.
I predict he gets to fight Gaethje or Anderson Silva in August. UFC are losing too much money by letting him walk.

It was the easier fight, he didn't want anything do with Justin due to the risk. He has a few mountains to climb if he wants to be a title holder again, ever. Both Khabib and Gaethje are lethal, and active fighters.

He is doing this purely for attention, that is all.

[Deleted User]

GiftofGab wrote: »

Mate just joking to wind a few people up. I do like watching McGregor fights more than any other fighter but also enjoy MMA.

Sorry man. It's hard to spot parody these days. My bad.

eagle eye

Gintonious wrote:

It was the easier fight, he didn't want anything do with Justin due to the risk. He has a few mountains to climb if he wants to be a title holder again, ever. Both Khabib and Gaethje are lethal, and active fighters.

Did you see the ppv sales? It had a very 1 million buys. He'd never have got that against Gaethje. He'd definitely nitely break 1.3 million now against Gaethje. He'd break 1 million against Anderson Silva.
He was no.3 in the rankings when the no.5 got an interim title shot.
Masvidal is not happy with his pay so I doubt he is doing a big ppv.

Gintonious wrote:

He is doing this purely for attention, that is all.

No, it's about money nothing more. He is not getting in the ring for a fight that won't sell big numbers.

Frank Bullitt

eagle eye wrote: »

Did you see the ppv sales? It had a very 1 million buys. He'd never have got that against Gaethje. He'd definitely nitely break 1.3 million now against Gaethje. He'd break 1 million against Anderson Silva.
He was no.3 in the rankings when the no.5 got an interim title shot.
Masvidal is not happy with his pay so I doubt he is doing a big ppv.

No, it's about money nothing more. He is not getting in the ring for a fight that won't sell big numbers.

Right...so fight the guy who Gaethje stopped at 155 because it made financial sense. A fighter who lost his previous 2 fights at 155 (the most recent being on a fight night card), nothing to do with it being an easier fight, sounds legit.

It's about attention, simple as that. He would have gotten the same pay if he fought Gaethje over Cowboy, but probably wouldn't have gotten the win.

He is not getting in the ring for a fight that won't sell big numbers.

He is not getting in the cage for a fight with a fighter in his prime after a long layoff, I think you mean.

xtal191

This whole he wont fight such and such cause they wont do big numbers is such bull**** imo, casual fans will pay to watch him fight pretty much anyone.

Mr. Karate

xtal191 wrote: »

This whole he wont fight such and such cause they wont do big numbers is such bull**** imo, casual fans will pay to watch him fight pretty much anyone.

Its obvious to everyone except the Conor brigade that Khabib destroyed Conor's confidence. So let him hide behind the "He's not a money fight excuse". Everybody sees through it.

ricero

Khabib took his soul