7 Biggest Conor McGregor Controversies

7. Being Removed From UFC 200 Event

UFC 200 on 9 July 2016 was a monumental event. In an attempt to replicate the success of UFC 100, the organisation went out of their way to stack the card with the some of the biggest talent available.

In months leading up to the event, the UFC did everyone they could to make a card fitting for the occasion. The feature bout would be the eagerly anticipated rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, just months after Diaz scored one of the biggest MMA upsets in recent memory by submitting McGregor on just two weeks notice at UFC 196.

In the build-up to the event McGregor released his now-infamous tweet, ostensibly announcing his retirement from MMA, leaving many observing the sport wondering whether the rematch would even take place.

When the time came, the fight would end up being scratched from the UFC 200 card. According to UFC president Dana White, Conor had refused to attend a press conference in New York and would, therefore, be removed from the event.

The move by the UFC to take a huge star off a card for missing a media obligation, while seemingly self-sabotaging, followed a historical precedent. In 2011 Nick Diaz was removed from his title fight with Georges St Pierre after missing a media event in the lead up to UFC 137.