Conor McGregor. AP FILE PHOTO
Conor McGregor shocked the world of mixed martial arts when he announced his plan to retire young from the sport, but UFC President Dana White remained professional with their featherweight champion.
White talked to TMZ and said the Irishman is not a “diva” for wanting to leave the promotion.
“He doesn’t want to come out here and do the press conference, he didn’t want to do this tour,” White who is in Las Vegas told TMZ. “This is a guy who stepped up and has taken fights on late notice, late opponents.”
READ: Conor McGregor tweets he’s to ‘retire young’; Diaz responds
McGregor was supposed to fight Rafael Dos Anjos for the UFC lightweight title in UFC 196 but the Brazillian withdrew from the fight due to a broken foot.
Welterweight Nate Diaz stepped in, and subsequently won in place of Dos Anjos, prompting McGregor to move into a higher weight class in less than a month.
BACKSTORY: Diaz submits McGregor in round 2 at UFC 196
“When you’re a fighter and you believe you’re the best in the world, you’re a diva if you don’t step up and take fights,” White said. IDL