Conor McGregor hints at UFC retirement U-turn

Retirement U-turn? Conor McGregor has hinted he could fight in the UFC again
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George Flood4 April 2019

UFC star Conor McGregor has hinted at performing another retirement U-turn on social media.

The Irishman announced via Twitter last month that he was quitting mixed martial arts, but signed off a message on the same platform on Wednesday night - one that came after an unsavoury exchange with rival Khabib Nurmagomedov - with the words "now see you in the Octagon".

It would not be the first time that McGregor has reneged on a retirement announcement, with the former featherweight and lightweight champion having also appeared to call it quits in 2016 before returning to win a second bout against Nate Diaz at UFC 202.

"I want to move forward, with my fans of all faiths and all backgrounds," the full tweet read. "All faiths challenge us to be our best selves.

"It is one world and one for all. Now see you in the Octagon."

UFC president Dana White released a statement to confirm that he was "aware of the recent social media exchange between Nurmagomedov and McGregor", which he claimed had "escalated to a level that is unacceptable".

He added: "As such, we are taking the necessary steps to reach out to both athlete camps and this situation is being addressed by all parties internally".

McGregor initially drew strong criticism for a tweet - since deleted - in which he called Nurmagomedov's wife 'a towel' alongside a picture of her wearing an Islamic veil on the couple's wedding day.

He later followed up with a tweet in which he referenced the lifetime ban recently handed down to Nurmagomedov's compatriot Ruslan Magomedov by USADA for anti-doping violations.

Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor at UFC 229 and their rivalry continues to simmer 
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Nurmagomedov responded by dubbing McGregor a "rapist" and a "hypocrite who is not responsible for your actions" in his own tweet.

The post ended: "Justice will find you. We will see."

Nurmagomedov and McGregor have clashed frequently in the past, with their controversial rivalry coming to a head at UFC 229 in Las Vegas in October, when the Russian claimed victory via a fourth-round submission.

Chaos ensued after the bout, with both fighters eventually fined and handed backdated suspensions following an ugly brawl.

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