There was annoyance within the UFC when Conor McGregor was granted a shot at the lightweight title.
Dana White said the decision was not an easy one but that 'other circumstances' had factored into allowing McGregor the chance to become the first ever UFC fighter to hold titles in two weight divisions simultaneously.
The UFC president did not elaborate on what those circumstances were but added that a 'left-field' announcement would be coming from McGregor at some point in the future. That is expected to be after he takes on Eddie Alvarez at Madison Square Garden in 16 days.
Conor McGregor left-field announcement
McGregor himself teased the announcement, which sounds like it's going to be made immediately after the fight, by telling MMA Junkie:
Buy the pay-per-view and stay tuned. Don’t blink. It’s going to be big.
The exact nature of these circumstances has been the focus of much speculation.
The Irish Sun today have word from 'an insider'. They say that the left-field announcement will be the featherweight champion's decision to take time out from MMA to settle down with his girlfriend Dee Devlin.
That break would not be permanent. He would be back, in time, for a 'mega money fight'.
And after UFC 205 is the perfect time to start.
He’s telling people he wants time out. It’s unlikely to be permanent, but the time is right to step back for a while.
He knows that if he wins UFC 205 he can always come back in a year or two for a mega money fight.
He could name his price. He’ll be back.
Since his UFC debut three years ago, McGregor has had nine fights. The Dubliner and his coach John Kavanagh have always preached a 'get rich, get out' approach to the sport, fully knowing the debilitating effect which MMA can have on a fighter's body.
Though he's in his prime right now, given how much he has earned and how often has spoken about ambitions beyond the Octagon, it would not be a surprise to see him take a break. Especially with the fervour there would be for a comeback fight and the money to be made off the back of it.
