UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor is in a stand off with the UFC, ostensibly over media duties. ‘Notorious’ said in a tweet he is retired, although sources tell us it is not forever. The UFC pulled McGregor from the enormously lucrative main event of UFC 200, which is expected to be the biggest show in the leagues history.

At the UFC 197 open workouts, former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones voiced support for his fellow fighter, ahead of his own fight with Ovince Saint Preux for the interim title on Saturday.

“Hats off to him for standing up for what he believes is right,” said Jones, as transcribed by Shaun Al-Shatti for MMA Fighting.

“At the end of the day, business is business, and the guy obviously has respect for himself and his talents. Fights like this will help fighters in the future. So, I respect his balls. … I respect his willingness to fight for what is right.”

“I don’t think he’s retired. I don’t think he’s going to retire. Just a few days ago, on his Instagram, he said ‘hungry like day one.’ So, a guy like a Conor, he is a fighter and he is a winner, and I don’t think he would want to go out on a loss. I think if he doesn’t fight again, his legacy is really that Diaz fight. So I’m pretty sure he’ll back.”

“Conor knows what he’s doing. Like I said, I believe he’ll be back. Conor has made a lot of money, so I’m sure he’s in a position right now where he doesn’t need to jump up and fight at the next event. I’m sure he can afford to take a long time off, so yeah, he’ll be back.”