Conor McGregor 'retires': Nate Diaz, John Kavanagh and the rest of MMA react to cryptic tweet

The news sent the world of mixed martial arts into a tailspin

Conor McGregor will fight Nate Diaz at UFC 200 (Getty Images)

Conor McGregor sent the world of mixed martial arts into a metaphorical meltdown on Tuesday night as he appeared to announce his retirement from the sport.

The UFC featherweight champion wrote on Twitter: “I have decided to retire young. Thanks for the cheese. Catch ya's later.”

Dana White, UFC president, later revealed that McGregor would not fight at UFC 200, the promotion company’s milestone pay-per-view event in July.

McGregor had been scheduled to take part in a rematch against Nate Diaz, who became the first man to beat the Irish fighter under the UFC banner last month.

White said a decision had been made to remove McGregor from the event’s card after he failed to attend a pre-fight press conference. He could not, however, confirm or deny whether McGregor’s retirement was genuine.

Unsurprisingly, the MMA community responded in shock to the news of McGregor’s potential retirement.

Here’s the best of the reaction from some of the sport’s biggest names…

McGregor’s coach, John Kavanagh…

McGregor’s conqueror and scheduled opponent, Nate Diaz…

The rest of the MMA community...

McGregor and his representatives are yet to confirm his 'retirement' outright.