White said McGregor’s absence from publicity appearances that included a press conference on Friday couldn’t be overlooked. “I came here to fight Conor”. Despite McGregor saying that he had delivered more than $400 million from his last three fights, the UFC seems unscathed by the claims, standing on its decision that it will not re-book McGregor.
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McGregor, who was in Iceland training for the event, had stoked rumours he was quitting the sport with a tweet that he had chose to retire young.
Conor McGregor’s Twitter account has sent the sports world into a speculative frenzy once again this morning, as the fighter tweeted that he has been reinstated to his position atop July’s massive UFC 200 card.
Conor McGregor is officially off of the UFC 200 card, president Dana White confirmed Friday.
‘But you have to show up to promote the fight.
White said a film crew was in from Los Angeles to shoot commercials and promotional videos for the event, further necessitating McGregor’s presence if he were to stay in the main event. “I don’t really have too much interest in anyone else”. White said. “A lot of these guys showed up here from different parts of the world – Brazil and New Jersey”. “We gave Conor every opportunity to be here, too”. However, the reason McGregor has been given so much leeway throughout his UFC career is because of how much money he brings to the company. But not all? Or is it truly a done deal as White’s said?
Diaz, meanwhile, explained his plans now that he’s not fighting McGregor. “So I think me and Aldo should go at it for the real one”.
UFC President Dana White says he harbours no ill will towards Conor McGregor despite a very public fall-out. He refused to leave his training camp to travel for promotional duties, saying it would hurt his preparation if he did.
He tweeted last Tuesday that he had “decided to retire young”, but in a later statement said he had not retired and still wanted to fight Diaz. “If that ain’t gonna happen, I’m going on vacation”.
Thus, McGregor will lose an easy $10 million payday with the pullout and there is no word yet on who Nate Diaz will face instead.
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“I have become lost in the game of promotion and forgot about the art of fighting”, he said.
