The Savage Truth: Say It Ain’t So, Conor!

Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed below are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sherdog.com, its affiliates and sponsors or its parent company, Evolve Media. One 13-word tweet sent the MMA internet community into a frenzy Tuesday afternoon. Thirteen is a popular number with UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor, who knocked out Jose Aldo in that many seconds to lay claim to UFC gold. Today’s social media post could be much more devastating for the UFC brand than that left hand was to Aldo’s jaw. The UFC has been experiencing a rise in popularity because of the visibility of crossover superstars like McGregor and Ronda Rousey. The loss of McGregor — however unlikely it really is — coupled with the thrashing Rousey took last November could put a big dent in the drawing power of the company that, at its heart, is still a pay-per-view company. Luckily for the UFC and everyone in the industry I don’t think this will be a long retirement, if it even is one at all. So, if I’m right, what could have prompted this action from McGregor? Well, I have a few theories. Contrary to Dana White declaring that he has been removed for refusing to atend a press conference, perhaps there was an injury that may have forced him out of his UFC 200 bout with Nate Diaz. Think about it: McGregor could just retire and keep his whole “I don’t pull out of fights” deal going on. He gets healthy and, voila, he’s ready to go for New York in November. Another hypothesis I’ve seen floating …

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