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Conor McGregor Rejects Fight Deal, Hints at UFC Retirement 'I'm happy with what I've done'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Aldon | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 6:23 PM ET

While the fame and popularity from a sports career can provide an athlete the platform for other aspirations outside their expertise, the demands of an extracurricular endeavor can lead to extended absences from training and competition. When athletes shift their focus, they often need to reevaluate their future in their sport.

In particular, UFC fighters late in their career must reassess their interests and skills, especially in a field as dangerous as combat sports, where a dulled competitive edge can lead to life-altering damage.

Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor revealed his status as UFC fighter yesterday, hinting at a possible retirement from the organization and citing his political desires as his main priority. The press conference rant from McGregor comes shortly after he announced his bid to run as president of Ireland.

Speaking at a Bare Knuckle Fighting (BKFC) press conference in Hollywood, Florida, McGregor revealed he has two fights left on his UFC contract and mentioned that his main focus as of late is on helping his home country of Ireland.

In what could have been a simple response to a reporter’s question of when he would make his BKFC debut, the Irish fighter went on a rant pondering over his future in combat sports.

“I’ve got two fights on the (UFC) contract, I’m in negotiations. Last week something happened to me,” McGregor answered, referencing his visit with US President Donald Trump at the White House. “My heart bleeds for my country right now. There’s a lot of stuff going on back home. I’m happy with what I’ve done. There’s something else for me that’s in my gut right now... Greatness does not rush.”

McGregor elaborated on his response and mentioned that he declined a proposed fight at Alcatraz in June, believing that the timing to return to competition was not ideal. It is unclear who offered him a fight deal, though one possibility is from Turki Alalshikh, who has been interested in hosting a boxing match at the famed former prison.

While he still expressed his intentions to return to the UFC, McGregor's recent admission has immediate implications for his remaining tenure in the promotion. For the UFC brass, his comments raise the question about the future of their biggest star and how his potential departure could impact the organization's marketability and pay-per-view sales. For McGregor fans and those curious about his potential UFC return, it seems like the waiting game will continue for the foreseeable future.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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