Co Kildare resident and UFC champ Conor McGregor announces that he is to 'retire' from MMA

Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor has announced his retirement from the sport via social media in a shock announcement this morning.

The Dubliner, who finishes with 21-4 record, said on his Twitter account this morning that he had decided to call it a day and wished his former colleagues well.

However, in March 2016 he previously announced his intention to 'retire young' after he lost to rival Nate Diaz before later returning to the sport.

The 30-year-old has a property in Straffan, Co Kildare, where he lives with his partner Dee Devlin,  son Conor Junior and new daughter Croia born in January.

McGregor returned to the octagon last October after a hiatus of nearly two years where he fought Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight belt, but the Russian ultimately retained his UFC lightweight title when he beat McGregor with a fourth-round submission.

This morning, McGregor posted Twitter: "Hey guys quick announcement, I've decided to retire from the sport formally known as "Mixed Martial Art" today. I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition. I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement. Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!"

Meanwhile, UFC President Dana White said he believed McGregor's latest retirement announcement was genuine and said the Irishman had accomplished 'incredible things in the sport.'

https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1110410797925175296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1110410797925175296&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rte.ie%2Fnews%2Fireland%2F2019%2F0326%2F1038591-conor-mcgregor-mma%2F