Did this iconic Conor McGregor quote predict his early retirement?

As speculation grows, it looks increasingly likely that Conor McGregor's retirement is not a belated April Fool's Day joke.

Was leaving the fight game early the Notorious' plan all along? Has he played everyone, us included, for fools? And what the hell is JOE going to write about now? https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/722492455732584448 Conor has always been known for predicting the future, calling the outcome of his bouts against Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo with Nostradamus-like precision. In an interview with Irish site Severe MMA back in February, McGregor may have given us a clue that ducking out on Dana White was his secret intention all along. McGregor told MMA journalist Andrew McGahon:

"I'm here to fight, I'm here to win every belt and then I'm gone. And then I'll see the game later, I'll walk away from this game, I'll set it ablaze and walk away. And that's it."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FOGVUX9W_M In the same interview he mentioned where he thought his career might take him next, referencing a possible future in acting.

"Hollywood are all over it now, Hollywood want a piece of this. I feel I'm touching markets that the UFC have never touched before. It will continue to rise and continue to grow and see where it goes but the sky is the limit."

If McGregor won't be overstaying his welcome in the UFC, what's next for him nobody knows. Perhaps Hollywood. Perhaps his own reality TV show? Tenner says he's back in the next 'XXX' movie alongside Vin Diesel. Either way; man, we're gonna miss you, Conor. How are you dealing with the grieving process? Need some support? Contact us at Hello@JOE.co.uk and we'll meet up and weep together under a blanket.