Dana White announced on ESPN Tuesday that Conor McGregor has been removed from UFC 200. The news comes hours after McGregor announced his retirement via twitter.
White indicated that McGregor was removed from the card after he indicated he would not participate in promotional activities. White has done something like this before. When Nick Diaz failed to show up for multiple media appearance, he was removed from his title fight against Georges St. Pierre. Of course, after being removed, he was immediately rebooked to fight BJ Penn at UFC 137.
Could we see something like this happen again? Hopefully McGregor doesn’t get rebooked against Penn. But you get the point.
The UFC did not seem to acknowledge the McGregor retirement announcement. One might assume that the sides are split over money. Rumors speculate that McGregor is asking for $10 million for UFC 200.
At this point, the UFC is searching to find a main event for July. If it doesn’t, it will likely go with Edgar-Aldo.
As for the news, the following tweet reflects the fact that MMA fans are social media savvy. Also, the casual fan is noticing. But not sure how much it has to do with impact in the sports world. Still pretty impressive.
Kobe’s retirement poem, at 130K RT’s was the most RT’d athlete tweet of 2015. McGregor’s tweet has now passed that https://t.co/H27SxkKNoK
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 20, 2016
Payout Perspective:
If there was a fighter that had leverage in negotiating with the UFC it would be McGregor. He has produced records in attendance, gate and the ancillary economic impact he provides to the hospitality industry is huge. The many fans traveling from Ireland and elsewhere to come to Vegas to see him is huge. Not to mention, his PPVs are some of the biggest buy rates for the company. Will the sides get back together or has the UFC moved on? We shall see.
The Greatest says
Kobes retirement has been known for awhile.
If twitter was around when Jordan retires the 1st time, that would’ve been the most retweeted thing ever.
Comparing this to Kobe is stupid and not even the same thing. Kobe played 20 yrs, it was time to retire.
Conor will be back.
Wil says
This might be legitimate, it might not. Seeing an mma fighter killed at ringside could have made him realize something we Soldiers learned overseas, “a fella could get killed in this line of work.” That, or he may simply be using leverage over DW in demanding purse monies on the level of boxing, 10m bones from what i read. Diaz says he is also quitting, it is starting to sound coordinated now…..with the money guys of that organization saying “pay us more or we wont fight…..it is us the people are paying to see…not you.”
If that is the case, i support those guys 100%….Dana White shares ZERO risk of getting killed in the cage, they do. And no one is paying to see knucklehead….
tops E says
Fighters should stand up to wanna be tough guys fertitas and dw……hahahaha….
jf says
These are the infos circulating around:
1- Conor was about to retire when the UFC initially signed him. One of his training partner and friend got crippled in training. He decided to take the UFC’s offer and became a champ. Now, another fighter close to him dies. This shook him even more and he told the UFC he couldn’t attend this week’s press conference and be in Diaz’ face etc. The UFC refused to let him slip out of it and held their ground saying that press conference is costing them over 1 million.
2- Parallel to all this, his contract is under dispute. Conor got 1 million to show at UFC 196 + PPV points and sponsorship which got him a total of 10 millions. This time, he DEMANDS 10 million to show + the rest. 10x what he earned in his last fight (2x when all included). The UFC refuses to give him anymore more than he has on his current contract.
Conor was on welfare 3 years ago, his family always lived in poverty. All he cares about is making a LOT of cash and making it very fast so he can retire before getting seriously injured. It could explain also why he tapped so quick against Diaz…
d says
The retirement theory, is not likely true. According to Ariel Helwani, McGregor is not retiring. He isn’t certain exactly why this is all going down, but as he put it:
“.One thing multiple sources seem to agree on: he’ll fight again. When? Where? How? TBD. But they believe that.”
The Greatest says
Its starting to sound like hes not,coming back at all.
McGregor and Rousey retired?
The Greatest says
Ill take Conors word over Ariels nose.
d says
“Its starting to sound like hes not,coming back at all.
McGregor and Rousey retired?”
Hahahaha. You wish. Desperation from the weakest.
Fight Fan says
Lol McChump knew he was done couldn’t keep up with the elite fighters anymore so he decided to hang it up. All good though he should do okay In wwe
d says
FIght Fan, he isn’t retiring. You can continue to wish though.
Boxing fanboys….desperation.
d says
Yardbarker and a number of other sources are claiming that it is purely a money dispute. McGregor wanted 10m up front plus ppv. UFC refused. This is probably the real reason.
IE, he isn’t going anywhere. Just won’t be fighting on 200.
Fight Fan says
The spin continues lol, keep trying d.
d says
What spin? This is what everyone with knowledge of the subject is saying. The only one spinning things here is you.
Fight Fan says
The knowledge is that he’s not on 200 and as of right now he is retired. I take his word over any pundits.
d says
By that analogy, you would believe all of the things he said about Mayweather then that boxing pundits laughed at? Like him making more money. Hahaha. Oops.
Fight Fan says
Mayweather never pulled out of a fight like McTapper lol, apples to oranges d. Keep trying
Diego says
It feels like a negotiating ploy. I find it hard to believe that at 27 and with the potential to make 10s of millions of dollars more in his career, he’s actually retiring. I mean the guy developed a taste for the high-life even faster than Pacman and Mayweather.
It’s unfortunate for Nate, because now he misses what would have been a big payday for a winnable fight.
Only McGregor knows what McGregor is up to. And in this case he may not even know. Time will tell but my money is on the fact that we’ll see him again. Anyone care to take the other side of that bet? The Greatest? Fight Fan?
Diego says
McChump? McTapper? Really Fight Fan? Are you such a tough guy that you bash fighters under an alias in the comments section of a website? How novel. I bet you’re the baddest man in your living room.
tops E says
http://mmajunkie.com/2016/04/dana-white-if-conor-mcgregor-calls-me-now-the-fight-with-nate-diaz-is-back-on..
Hahahaha…dw raises the white flag? hahahaha…call me pls….flash and.china media pissed
tops E says
Read the interview all examples.given by white….boxers hahaha….as usual…mike tyson did promos….so you should to lol…..connor should answer : give me top boxers money and ill do your little promo….
Wil says
White realizes that McGregor is a money making machine with a certain demographic. He is worth millions, and white and Zuffa know that. If this is a ploy for more money, my bet is on Conor to win this…and Diaz….and CM Punk….and any UFC fighter who decided to join them.
Wil says
White realizes that McGregor is a money making machine with a certain demographic. He is worth millions, and white and Zuffa know that. If this is a ploy for more money, my bet is on Conor to win this…and Diaz….and CM Punk….and any UFC fighter who decided to join them.
Wil says
According to Fox Sports the reasons McGregor is at odds with White and the UFC it is because elite boxers make 65 to 85% purse generated from fight night revenue as individual. UFC fighters mid to elite level make 25 to 35% collective purse (all fighters together from fight night revenue.)
WWE performers derive royalties, licensing fees, and video games.
UFC identities of fighters are owned in perpeputity even after they leave the company . They do not receive royalties although they can negotiate if they obtain leverage.
Sounds like McGregor is definitely flexing his money making muscle. Good luck to him, I cannot wait to see the tide catch on and the UFC corporates get their comeupppance
tops E says
Mcgregor should talk to mayweather how to maximize profit….this is the time for ufc fighters to push for the ali act for mma…revolution! dw should stop using boxers as examples when it comes to money until he pays ufc fighters like boxers…if mcgregor got 1 mil guaranteed then he should compare it to a boxer with 1 mil purse….hahaha
tops E says
Dw fears the truth coming out.mc gregor should talk to the media,and expose the pay in detail….no locker room bonuses(hypes it as big-underground mafia lol but its small) and compare it with boxing….fixed rate separate from ppv buys….hahahaha
tops E says
Dw fears the truth coming out.mc gregor should talk to the media,and expose the pay in detail….no locker room bonuses(hypes it as big-underground mafia lol but its small) and compare it with boxing….fixed rate/guaranteed separate from ppv buys….hahahaha include,kennedy
d says
Hahaha. Tops is going crazy. Until McGregor fights again and has another huge show. Then he will go crazy some more. Hahahaha.
d says
“Mayweather never pulled out of a fight like McTapper lol, apples to oranges d. Keep trying”
What you just said is apples to unicorns.
tops E says
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/How-Death-Money-Mayweather-Possibly-Influenced-Conor-McGregors-Retirement-103631….good article dw keeps comparing ufc with boxing…now fighters want boxing money….dw: ah errrr we dont have the money of boxing hahaha where a club sport….also if ufc pays 35% to fighters how come they cant settle theyre loan due? hahahaha
d says
Record year in mma equals Tops meltdown. Hahaha.
tops E says
Hahaha..hahaha
tops E says
http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/conor-mcgregor-ufc-200-dana-white-frankie-edgar-jose-aldo-nick-diaz-042016…
.
Now dw changed his mind…..mcgregor did not call hahahaha
edi says
When ever I start to believe the HYPE. I re-read this article.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/5/14/4330572/ufc-fighter-contracts-revealed-dana-white-fertitta-mma-news
Could DW & Conor be playing us and this is just a Vince McMann V Stone Cold script?
tops E says
http://deadspin.com/ufc-boss-dana-white-mad-at-conor-mcgregor-for-not-doing-1772142469. Good article…dw powertrip….now he dosent have leverage resorting to threats….funny when the topic got to money,he speaks for mcgregor that he is very happy with the money hahahaha
d says
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/4/20/11476160/jon-jones-id-absolutely-fight-at-landmark-ufc-200-event-in-july-mma-news
Jones-Cormier is going down for 200 as long as Jones wins and doesn’t get injured.
d says
https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/conor-mcgregor-statement—i-am-not-retired-145125977.html
McGregor not retiring.
Diego says
Not only not retiring, but a good chance he still fights at UFC 200 – after making major headlines. His twitter skills are better than Trump’s.
Fight Fan says
Trump is worth nearly 100 times McChump, I doubt he’s concerned about Twitter