Dana White paid tribute to former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor after the Irishman announced his retirement early Tuesday.
McGregor had hinted at a return to the octagon once he had served his six-month ban for the brawl after his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October – which the Russian won.
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Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 26, 2019
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!
Speaking to Jimmy Fallon on Monday's airing of "The Tonight Show," McGregor said: "We're in talks for [a fight in] July, so we'll see what happens. I am in shape and I am ready, so let's see what happens.
"I don't necessarily need to fight, I am set for life, my family is set for life. But I am eager to fight."
However, hours later he posted on social media that his fighting career was over, and White was full of praise for the former featherweight and lightweight champion.
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"He has the money to retire and his whiskey is killin' it," White told ESPN. "It totally makes sense. If I was him I would retire too.
"He's retiring from fighting. Not from working. The whiskey will keep him busy and I'm sure he has other things he's working on.
"He has been so fun to watch. He has accomplished incredible things in this sport. I am so happy for him and I look forward to seeing him be as successful outside of the octagon as he was in it."