Anyone who knows the fight game knows that Conor McGregor is more passionate about fighting than most others. However, there were some ups and downs in his career where the Irishman’s fighting passion looked blurry. One such moment that sent shockwaves through the MMA community occurred on June 6, 2020, just moments after UFC 250 concluded. McGregor took to Twitter and announced his retirement from fighting, leaving fans and pundits perplexed.
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McGregor had mentioned retiring twice before. Nonetheless, it sparked a frenzy. Speculation swirled as to whether he was genuinely calling it quits or if it was merely a ploy to remain in the spotlight. His Netflix documentary, “McGregor Forever” revisits this period shedding light on the motivations behind his announcement.
How Joe Rogan reacted to the retirement announcement by Conor McGregor
Just after UFC 250 ended, Conor McGregor made a tweet that said – “Hey guys, I’ve decided to retire from fighting. Thank you for all the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!” Joe Rogan, the renowned UFC commentator, voiced skepticism about McGregor‘s retirement. “McGregor Forever” included Rogan‘s reaction in the opening minutes of its 3rd episode.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 11: Joe Rogan is seen on stage during the UFC 281 ceremonial weigh-in at Radio City Music Hall on November 11, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)
He stated, “I don’t buy it for a second. I think Conor McGregor is trying to get you to talk about him, and you just did.” Rogan‘s astute observation echoed the sentiments of many who believed McGregor‘s retirement talk was a strategic move to keep his name circulating in the media.
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However, it was a bit more than just a publicity stunt. The buildup of frustration and a perceived lack of fight opportunities pushed McGregor to make the public announcement. He wanted to send a message to the UFC and the MMA community that he was ready and eager to step back into the Octagon. McGregor‘s desire to fight and prove himself once again was the driving force behind his retirement remarks.
How Ariel Helwani reacted to this news
‘McGregor Forever’ also captured Ariel Helwani’s response to this announcement. Helwani offered insight into the real reasons behind McGregor‘s retirement talk. Helwani noted that McGregor felt sidelined and iced out by the UFC. The Irish fighter was in the prime of his life and eager to continue competing. However, he felt that the UFC was not providing him with the right opportunities.
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 12: Conor McGregor of Ireland celebrates his KO victory over Eddie Alvarez of the United States in their lightweight championship bout during the UFC 205 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
“This guy is in the prime of his life and he felt like he was being sidelined. He felt like he was being iced. He is like, enough of this, we want to fight. They kept kicking the can. You really saw that frustration boil over. He was fed up.”
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Ultimately, McGregor‘s retirement plans did not flourish. Shortly, he returned to the UFC and faced off against Dustin Poirier at UFC 259. This comeback solidified McGregor‘s status as one of the sport’s biggest draws and reinvigorated his competitive spirit.
