UFC President: ‘We Pulled Conor McGregor From UFC 200’

UFC president Dana White said that Conor McGregor was pulled from UFC 200, but could not confirm whether the reigning Featherweight Champion was actually retiring, in an interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

“What’s happened is we pulled Conor McGregor from UFC 200 and we’re working on other fights right now,” White said. “Conor did not want to come to Las Vegas and film the commercial or be a part of any of the marketing we have. He’s in Iceland training and that’s not possible… Is Conor McGregor retiring? Only he can answer that question.”

McGregor was set to square up against Nate Diaz in a highly anticipated rematch after Diaz dealt McGregor his first UFC loss last month. Today, however, McGregor abruptly tweeted, “I have decided to retire young. Thanks for the cheese. Catch ya’s later.”

Despite McGregor’s refusal to attend the pre-fight press conference and other UFC 200 promotional events, White said of the fighter, “Obviously we still have, as far as I’m concerned, a good relationship with Conor. I respect Conor as a fighter and I like him as a person, but you can’t decide to not show up to these things. You have to do it.”

White said UFC is working on scheduling another fight for Diaz, and will add another bout to UFC 200. The event is set to take place July 9th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It will feature two title fights: José Aldo and Frankie Edgar for the interim Featherweight title, and Miesha Tate defending her UFC women’s Bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes.