Conor McGregor’s surprise announcement, made via Twitter, that he’s decided to call it quits and retire from MMA, followed in quick succession by the revelation that he is the subject of an ongoing police investigation into sexual assault in Ireland, has stirred speculation that the former is connected to the latter, suggesting that things have taken a sharp turn for the worse in the fortunes of the controversial combat sports icon. 

For many who’ve followed his career, revelling in the controversy, chaos and excitement he’s brought to the Octagon, this will be just another day. 

For others, taking more of a sober view, it charts the continuing downward spiral of a fighter who over the past few years bestrode the world if not like a colossus then certainly as close to one as you will find in an age when the soulless nature of fame and celebrity has hit peak aridity and bespeaks the end of days.