"The Notorious" McGregor hangs up his gloves

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"The Notorious" Conor McGregor, one of the most shining stars in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA), announced his retirement via Twitter on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old Irishman has been living a merchant life after challenging retired unbeaten boxing celebrity Floyd Mayweather on November 12, 2016, which earned him a huge appearance fee.

During the last two years, McGregor played just one match on October 7, 2018, in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he won two divisions' champion belts and attracted millions of fans.

But the much-anticipated fight finally became the swansong of the Irish braggart as UFC lightweight champion "The Eagle," Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia, smashed the kickboxing-type man with extraordinary wrestling techniques in all four rounds.

Since then, McGregor had seldom posted training-related posts on social media, opting instead for photos of his diverse commercial activities and the promotion of his own Irish Whisky brand.

Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor of Ireland in a press conference before the match against UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia at Radio City Music Hall in New York, September 20, 2018 /VCG Photo

McGregor announced his retirement in a tweet:

Hey guys quick announcement, I've decided to retire from the sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today.

I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition.

I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement.

The retirement came without any warning, as many fans were looking forward to his next match to get revenge on Khabib.

However, the father who just had his second child at the beginning of 2019 has made the decision, leaving the octagon and hanging up his gloves, at least for a while.