This story just keeps growing legs.
Just when you thought you had a handle on all this Conor McGregor retirement talk, out pops Dana White to put a whole toolbox of spanners in the works.
Speaking on Fox Sports Radio network on Wednesday night, the head of the UFC revealed that McGregor was unhappy at being part of a UFC tour that was to take in Las Vegas, Stockton in California and New York, beginning this week.
White also explained that McGregor’s unhappiness was not related to any money issue, and that while he is still friends with the Irishman, there was no fighter on the UFC roster who could not promote their fights, no matter how big they are.
However, White then dropped a massive bombshell on the show, when asked what may happen if McGregor fails to fulfill his duties at UFC 200 and is actually retired as he claimed on Tuesday night.
White: Conor needs to clean this up fast or Jose Aldo and Frankie Edgar are fighting for the vacant featherweight title.
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 20, 2016
White also admitted that while McGregor may be technically retired, the issue of not appearing at UFC 200 could still be salvageable if there is a willingness on his side to communicate.
White: Yeah if he called me after this interview we would probably still do it. We're spending $10 million in promotion for #ufc200.
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 20, 2016
White: Conor wasn't planning on delivering this weekend and I had to pull him. It's what had to be done.
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 20, 2016
If McGregor’s retirement is true, then it would be natural that Frankie Edgar and Jose Aldo would fight for a belt that is no longer held by a fighter within the UFC.
The ultimatum is likely to cause a severe backlash from the Irishman who has spent the best part of the last four years trying to claim the elusive featherweight title.
In the next year, will @TheNotoriousMMA fight in the @ufc? #TheHerdhttps://t.co/oIMDy70aM4
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 20, 2016
White’s comments come less than a day after McGregor sent the MMA world into a tailspin with his bombshell about retiring.
The Dubliner announced on his Twitter last night that he was quitting the sport ahead of UFC 200’s proposed rematch with Nate Diaz.
White last night told reporters that the issue with the 27-year-old related to media activities planned for this week in Las Vegas for the July showpiece, which the Dubliner will now not be a part of.
There has been no comment officially from McGregor’s camp as of yet, but perhaps White’s comments will force ‘The Notorious’ to break his vow of silence.
