UFC Champion Conor McGregor Suddenly Announces His Retirement! Is This For Real??

Late April Fools’…?
UFC star Conor McGregor sent fans into a meltdown after announcing that he has “decided to retire young.”
Related: Nate Diaz Tells Justin Bieber To ‘Shut Your B*tch Ass Up’!
But because the announcement was so casual and seemingly came out of nowhere, not too many people believe him!
On Tuesday, the Irish fighter shared on Twitter:

I have decided to retire young.
Thanks for the cheese.
Catch ya’s later.
├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 19, 2016

Minutes after the featherweight champion’s shocking announcement, fans flooded social media with equal parts devastation, confusion, and rage — all things that happen during a UFC cage match.
Since the announcement is coming mere months before his highly-anticipated rematch against Nate Diaz at UFC 200, many fans are speculating that the 27-year-old is just trolling — especially after a follow up tweet from his coach John Kavanagh:

Well was fun while it lasted
├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) April 19, 2016

While the questionable message just added fuel to the troll-theory, MMA reporter Ariel Helwani assured fans that McGregor’s message was NOT a prank, sharing:

Multiple sources are adamant at this time that McGregor’s tweet isn’t a joke, troll job or hoax of any kind. Reason(s) behind it is unclear.
├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 19, 2016

It sounds like there’s a lot more to the story here.
McGregor has been reportedly undergoing an intense training camp ahead of his July 9 rematch in Las Vegas, where he planned to fight Diaz at welterweight level — which is a few solid weight classes above his natural featherweight category.
Related: New UFC Champ Miesha Tate Trash Talks Ronda Rousey!
But if the champ really IS retiring, his opponent isn’t too worried about it. After McGregor’s retirement tweet, Diaz jabbed out a quick response:

I guess my work here is done I’m retiring too├ó┼ô┼Æ├░┼╕┬Å┬╝├»┬╕┬Å├░┼╕ΓÇÿ┼á├░┼╕┬Å┬╝
├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) April 19, 2016

It sounds like Diaz is chalking this up to a nothing more than social media prank from his rival — and he’s not alone!
Ch-ch-check out all the HIGHlarious fan responses (below) who are in disbelief and/or denial over McGregor’s announcement!

.@TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/hBuZEpaBVr
├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ MMA GIFS (@mma_gifs_) April 19, 2016

@TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/sdz0KQXgsx
├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ Perry (@FPS_Perry) April 19, 2016

@TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/zbJHoovgHS
├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ Joe Field (@fieldjoe4) April 19, 2016

… @TheNotoriousMMA pic.twitter.com/DRfcfE41iM
├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) April 19, 2016

So the early leader in the “what cheese is @TheNotoriousMMA thankful for?” debate is….. pic.twitter.com/Yi5knkSUQM
├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ Karl O’Shaughnessy (@OShaughnessyK) April 19, 2016