Conor McGregor: UFC star returns from retirement after only 10 days following Khabib Twitter spat
The former two-weight world champion sent shockwaves around the sporting world just under a fortnight ago when he announced he was retiring
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Conor McGregor has hinted his "retirement" from mixed martial arts may be over already.
The former two-weight world champion sent shockwaves around the sporting world just under a fortnight ago when he announced he was retiring.
The decision drew its fair share of scepticism, given it came only hours after McGregor told an American TV chat show that he was in negotiations for a fight in July.
But just 10 days on the Irishman appears to have performed a U-turn.
"I want to move forward, with my fans of all faiths and all backgrounds," he tweeted. "All faiths challenge us to be our best selves. It is one world and one for all. Now see you in the Octagon."
A previous "retirement" announced by McGregor in 2016 lasted a matter of days.
The conciliatory tone of McGregor's tweet was at odds with an earlier string of abusive posts targeting Khabib Nurmagomedov, the Russian who beat him in a fourth-round lightweight title fight in October.
McGregor has made no secret of his desire for a re-match.
"Don't be scared of the rematch you little scurrying rat. You will do what you are told like you always do," he tweeted on Wednesday.
McGregor also tweeted - then deleted - a number of derogatory posts about Nurmagomedov's wife.
UFC president Dana White condemned the online exchanges as "unacceptable" and confirmed that he was reaching out to both camps to defuse the tension.
Neither McGregor nor Nurmagomedov have fought since, with both serving suspensions for an ugly brawl that erupted after their match in Las Vegas.
Boasting massive global recognition, McGregor wields considerable negotiating power over the UFC and pundits have speculated his retirement announcement was merely a ploy in a long battle to secure an ownership stake in the popular cage-fighting series.
"He's stuck on this thing where he wants a piece of the ownership and if you look at basketball, Michael Jordan didn't own a piece of the league," White said earlier this week.
"I think there's other ways that we can make him happy."
McGregor was arrested last month for allegedly stealing the mobile phone of a man who was attempting to take his photo outside a nightclub.
He was charged with strong-armed robbery and misdemeanour criminal mischief and released on bail.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments