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Published 22:48 IST, June 7th 2020

Conor McGregor makes 3rd retirement announcement in 4 years

Conor McGregor has announced his retirement for the third time in four years.

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Conor McGregor has announced his retirement for the third time in four years.

McGregor abruptly made his latest dubious declaration Sunday morning on his Twitter account, where the former two-division UFC champion also announced his retirement in 2016 and 2019.

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“Hey guys I’ve decided to retire from fighting,” McGregor wrote in a caption below a photo of him and his mother. “Thank you all for the amazing memories! What a ride it’s been!”

The 31-year-old Irish superstar revitalised his combat sports career in January with an impressive first-round stoppage of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 246. McGregor (22-4) hadn't won a fight in a mixed martial arts cage or a boxing ring since 2016, but he remained the UFC's brightest star and biggest financial draw.

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UFC President Dana White has already said McGregor is next in line for a title shot at the winner of lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov's bout with Justin Gaethje this summer.

White was still willing to take McGregor's retirement announcement at face value - at least publicly - when he learned about it at his news conference following UFC 250 in Las Vegas.

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“If Conor McGregor feels he wants to retire, you know my feelings about retirement,” White said. "You should absolutely do it. And I love Conor. ... There’s a handful of people that have made this really fun for me, and he’s one of them.”

22:48 IST, June 7th 2020