When it comes to Conor McGregor’s latest retirement, consider UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping skeptical.
For the third time in four years, McGregor, the former UFC two-division champion, took to Twitter to declare his career over, this time saying he’s “decided to retire from fighting” just minutes after the conclusion of UFC 250.
McGregor (22-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) followed up his announcement with an explanation citing a number of factors – including his frustration at what he claimed is the UFC’s unwillingness to book him in fights against interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje and former middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Bottom line: McGregor said he’s “bored” with the fight game.
But given McGregor’s history of past retirement announcements in 2016 and 2019, neither of which lasted, Bisping also doubts this instance is serious.
“I mean, who knows what’s going on behind the scenes, because there’s always much more to it,” Bisping said on his “Believe You, Me” podcast. “But, yes, he’s done it before. As you say, he’s the boy who cried wolf. It would appear from the outside that I don’t think anyone is convinced that he is actually retired. I mean, he’s a young man, he’s in his prime, he’s the biggest star this sport has ever seen. He’s bigger than all the other stars put together, to be honest. He’s the cash cow, simple as that. There’s money to be made, and I don’t think he’s going to leave that.”
The only thing that seems to give Bisping a little pause is money: as in, McGregor already has a lot of it. McGregor, whom the UFC allowed to partake in a big-money crossover boxing match with Floyd Mayweather in 2017, is unquestionably the highest paid fighter on the roster. McGregor also has his own Irish whiskey, Proper Twelve, which has been a huge success since it was released in 2018.
“He has achieved a lot,” Bisping said. “He has a huge brand name. He doesn’t really need to fight again. So maybe there is (truth), but I doubt it is a real retirement.”
For his part, UFC president Dana White said there’s no need for McGregor to continue fighting with his current fortune.
“Proper Twelve whiskey has sold an obscene amount of liquor,” White said. “I don’t know what his financial situation is with that thing, but I would imagine he owns a good piece of it. Conor McGregor is not gonna need any money anytime soon.”
Conor McGregor finished for good? Michael Bisping doubts 'it is a real retirement'