Conor McGregor Says He’s Retiring…Again, is a “Bit Bored of The Game”

Ordinarily, the day after a UFC pay-per-view, headlines would be dominated by storylines stemming from the card. But today, the MMA world is buzzing over the news Conor McGregor says he’s retiring.

Yes, if you’re keeping score, this marks the third time the former featherweight and lightweight champ has done so.

McGregor says he’s a “bit bored of the game”

Not long after UFC 250 wrapped up on Saturday, McGregor relayed the following news via Twitter.

Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting.
Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!
Here is a picture of myself and my mother in Las Vegas post one of my World title wins!
Pick the home of your dreams Mags I love you!
Whatever you desire it’s yours

As noted above, since McGregor also announced he was retiring in 2016 and 2019, the announcement was met with some skepticism.

But, since then, McGregor spoke with Ariel Helwani from ESPN. While explaining why he’s apparently hanging up the gloves again, the 31-year-old star said this.

“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, who is coming off a quick, stoppage win over Donald Cerrone in January, also said this.

“I’m a bit bored of the game. 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.”

Is this really it?

So, the big question is, is this really it for McGregor? It could be. But, there’s reasons to think it won’t be.

It seems clear that McGregor’s just frustrated with the fact he hasn’t been able to come to terms on his next bout. During the interview, McGregor also cited his desire to approach 2020 like a “season” and to stay busy.

But, according to McGregor, the UFC has offered him “stupid fights”. Further, he also said this.

“We’ll see what the future holds. But for right now, for the immediate future, 2020, all the best to it.”

Does that sound like a fighter who is truly set on retirement? Not really right?