Fight fans stunned as Conor McGregor misses hotly-awaited rematch with Nate Diaz
UFC president Dana White breaks the shock news on ESPN's Sportscenter ahead of UFC 200
IT'S official. Conor McGregor is OUT of UFC 200.
UFC president Dana White broke the news on ESPN's Sportscenter on Tuesday evening, saying the Dubliner will no longer fight Nate Diaz in their eagerly-awaited rematch.
White said McGregor was pulled from the event because he refused to take part in promotional activities in Las Vegas this week.
"What's happened is we've pulled Conor McGregor for UFC 200 and we're working on other fights right now," White explained,
"Conor did not want to come to Las Vegas and film the commercial or be a part of any the marketing that we have.He's in Iceland training and it's not possible.
"This has only happened one other time in UFC history. It was when Nick Diaz didn't show up for his press conference for his fight with Georges St-Pierre and I pulled Nick Diaz from the fight.
"You have to do the press conference. So Conor put out that tweet - is Conor McGregor retiring? Only he can answer that question, I don't know, but he's not fighting at UFC 200.
"He didn't want to (take part in the promotional activities this week). He's in Iceland training and he felt that leaving right now would hurt his training in getting ready for this fight. But every other fighter on the card is coming.
"I get accused of coddling Conor all the time, but at the end of the day I respect Conor. Conor's the guy who has stepped up and taken fights at short notice and literally saved the show at times.
"But it doesn't make you exempt from showing up for the press conference and all the pre-promotional stuff that we have to do.
"We've spent a lot of money on this stuff and it's mandatory - you have to do it."
The UFC's move to remove McGregor from their biggest event of the year now throws huge doubt over the Irishman's fighting future.
Rumours of a rift between Team McGregor and UFC brass have been circulating for months, but have consistently been denied by the UFC.
But now, following this decision - and following McGregor's tweet earlier today hinting at retirement - the future of the UFC's biggest star looks decidedly uncertain.
Meanwhile White confirmed Diaz will remain on the fight card and will still attend UFC 197 fight week in Las Vegas this week, with the UFC currently looking for a suitable replacement to face the Californian on July 9.