Legit, or troll job? UFC champ Conor McGregor says he has 'decided to retire young'

We’re far enough past April Fool’s Day, so that’s out. But today, UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor either made one of the most shocking retirement announcements in sports history, or he trolled the world.

McGregor posted on his Twitter account that he has “decided to retire young.” He added, “Thanks for the cheese. Catch ya’s later.”

McGregor (19-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in March suffered his first loss in the UFC when he tapped out to a Nate Diaz (19-10 MMA, 14-8 UFC) rear-naked choke in a welterweight main event at UFC 196. The two are scheduled to rematch in the main event of UFC 200.

Diaz entered the fray a bit after McGregor’s initial tweet, saying “I guess my work here is done I’m retiring too.” He added a peace sign and fist bump emojis.

McGregor’s longtime coach, John Kavanagh, didn’t do anything to dispel his star student’s cryptic tweet, saying “Well was fun while it lasted.”

UFC 200 takes place July 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass. The first McGregor-Diaz fight did what reportedly were historic kinds of numbers for the UFC on pay-per-view.

A message left with McGregor’s agent seeking response to his client’s tweet was not immediately returned, nor was a message seeking comment from the UFC.

McGregor has become one of the promotion’s most marketable stars, alongside former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. Before he booked his first fight with Diaz, McGregor was scheduled to fight lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos for his title, trying to become the first in UFC history to hold titles in two divisions at the same time.

But when dos Anjos broke his foot ahead of the fight, the title plans were scrapped and McGregor fought Diaz in a welterweight bout, instead. It was the 27-year-old Irishman’s first loss since November 2010.

For more on UFC 200, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.