Call him Cryptic Mac.
Conor McGregor tweeted ambiguously and suddenly about retirement Tuesday. The UFC featherweight champion is slated to face Nate Diaz in the main event of UFC 200 on July 9 in Las Vegas.
"I've decided to retire young," McGregor said. "Thanks for the cheese. Catch ya's later."
I have decided to retire young.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 19, 2016
Thanks for the cheese.
Catch ya's later.
Could it be typical McGregor bluster, a negotiating ploy against the UFC or a legitimate decision to leave the sport? Hard to say at this time.
McGregor's coach John Kavanagh seemed to double down on his star pupil's odd announcement.
Well was fun while it lasted
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) April 19, 2016
McGregor, just 27 years old, is coming off a second-round submission loss to Diaz at UFC 196 last month. He moved up to 170 pounds for that fight and has yet to defend the 145-pound title he won against Jose Aldo by 13-second knockout in December.
But, as has been the case over the last few years, McGregor has the MMA world in the palm of his hand, hanging on his next word.
Diaz added his own little dig on Twitter not long after McGregor posted.
I guess my work here is done I'm retiring too✌ ️
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) April 19, 2016