Conor McGregor was “seconds” from announcing his retirement at UFC 205, after feuding with bosses over holding two belts.
The Crumlin native could be set to take home up to €80 million, according to experts, after the MMA star made history in New York City on Saturday night, by becoming the first UFC star to hold two weight belts simultaneously.
However, sources have since claimed that Conor was on the brink of announcing his retirement to millions of viewers, before Dana White handed him his second belt.
A source told the Irish Sun, “He was announcing his retirement. Dana White ran over and said take the second belt so Conor changed the announcement. It was a matter of seconds.
“Conor got his way again, proving that Conor IS the UFC.”
It is said that Conor and UFC boss Dana White have been feuding for two months, over the right to keep the featherweight and lightweight belts if he beat Eddie Alvarez.
Then, seconds after the Irish fighter beat Alvarez in the ring, Conor could be seen having words with Dana, as he demanded his two belts.
“Conor said he would retire if they took one of the belts from him, and White said ‘OK, so be it.’ It was like a high stakes game of poker and neither player wanted to blink.”
“Where the f*** is my second belt? I’ve already got this one. Where’s the second one?” Conor shouted in front of the crowd.
Close call: Sources claim Conor was seconds from retiring | INSTAGRAM
As Conor shouted that he would not be apologising to anybody, the UFC boss handed him his second belt, as requested.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Dana said, “Just for the record, I’m not supposed to bring his belt… he’s supposed to bring his belt.
“He’s yelling at me because I don’t have his belt. I’m like ‘no, you’re supposed to bring your belt and I give you your new belt’. We went back there and (fighter) Tyron Woodley let us borrow his belt.”
The UFC are yet to officially confirm that Conor can keep both belts.
