Conor McGregor retires: The Notorious quits MMA aged 30 in shock announcement on social media
CONOR McGREGOR has revealed he is retiring from MMA in a shock announcement after being out of action for months.
The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion said he is ending his career at the age of 30 so he can concentrate on a "new venture".
He tweeted: "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. Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!"
McGregor is currently suspended from fighting by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after UFC 229, in which he was involved in a huge brawl after losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
UFC president Dana White wished McGregor well in a text exchange with ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto.
He wrote: "He has the money to retire and his whiskey is KILLIN it. It totally makes sense. If i was him i would retire too."
McGregor is worth around £76million and made about 57m from switching codes to face Floyd Mayweather in the boxing ring.
His shock statement came after he enjoyed a boozy night out in New York with Jimmy Fallon - even calling out Khabib for a blockbuster rematch.
The pair were seen drinking whiskey, having a face-off and joining a band for a sing-song ahead of the UFC superstar's first time on the chat show.
This is not the first time McGregor has spoken out quitting, as he previously suggested he had retired from MMA back in April 2016 .
He tweeted he had “decided to retire young” a month after losing to Nate Diaz.
But the Notorious returned to the ring in August the same year when he fought Diaz a second time.
And many supporters feel he may be using the announcement as a bargaining chip, with WWE star pal Finn Balor tweeting: "See you at Wrestlemania".
During a recent promotion for his own Irish whiskey brand, Proper No Twelve, he told fans he is desperate to win back his lightweight title from Khabib.
McGregor lost via a fourth-round submission at UFC 229 at the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada last October and has not fought since.
However, the Irish star also recently listed several other names that he would like to face next including rematches against Nate Diaz, Jose Aldo and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
He said: “If you beat a man convincingly, a first-round KO, a dominating performance, there’s not really a need for a rematch.
“But, if that individual rises up the ranks, if he goes back, checks himself, humbles himself, stays focused, stays positive, and rises up exactly like Dustin Poirier has done, and exactly like Max Holloway has done, well then there is rematches deserved.
“Even Aldo now currently, he had a great win, his last two wins were great wins.
“He had a little bit of a slip, but he’s had two great wins and now he’s fighting in his hometown of Rio De Janeiro.
“I actually was thinking I might slide in and face him, but all these politics and co-main event conversation kind of halted that as well.
“If he wins, I believe he’s up in line for a rematch also.
"Although it was a 12-second knockout, I still think if you rise up again, you deserve a rematch. So, this is where we are at."
McGregor and Khabib's showdown descended into chaos when a post-fight brawl erupted.
Notorious was given a six-month ban and Nurmagomedov a nine-month suspension for their part in the ugly melee.
McGregor, who has been called out for a bare-knuckle boxing fight with rival Paulie Malignaggi, says Khabib must agree to a rematch to finally end their feud.