LOS ANGELES: Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor hinted he may not be retiring after all on Wednesday after a racially-charged exchange of insults with rival Khabib Nurmagomedov.The former two-weight UFC champion provoked shock — and scepticism in some quarters — when he last week announced he was bowing out of the sport. But McGregor, who has come in for criticism over controversial tweets aimed at bitter rival and UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov since then, seems set to perform a dramatic u-turn.“I want to move forward, with my fans of all faiths and all backgrounds,” McGregor wrote. “All faiths challenge us to be our best selves. It is one world and one for all. Now see you in the Octagon.”McGregor’s tweet appeared to be a response to criticism directed towards him after an earlier post in which he insulted Nurmagomedov’s wife and the couple’s Muslim faith. McGregor swiftly deleted the post made late Tuesday.Nurmagomedov however reacted furiously to the insult, raising reported sexual assault allegations which McGregor faces in Ireland according to the New York Times. “You are a hypocrite who is not responsible for your actions,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “Justice will find you. We will see.”The vitriolic exchange prompted an intervention from UFC chief Dana White, who urged both camps to dial back their rhetoric. “I am aware of the recent social media exchange between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor,” White said in a statement.“The ongoing situation has escalated to a level that is unacceptable. As such, we are taking the necessary steps to reach out to both athlete camps and this situation is being addressed by all parties internally.”McGregor and Nurmagomedov have a much storied past — the pair are both still suspended from competing following the notorious melee in the aftermath of the Russian’s win over the Irishman at UFC 229 last October.Tensions have not died down, though, with McGregor posting then deleting an alleged Islamophobic tweet directed towards Nurmagomedov’s wife.Nurmagomedov, a practising Muslim who has made inflammatory accusations of his own about McGregor in recent days, responded: “If you think that insulting entire religion you be safe, you are mistaken.”
04-05-2019, 04:57 PM
Conor McGregor hints at reversing MMA retirement
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