Conor McGregor has labelled former UFC two-division champion Henry Cejudo a "fart" after the American took aim at the Dubliner on social media.
The Notorious is plotting his return to the UFC lightweight division after breaking his leg in a second consecutive defeat to Dustin Poirier last July.
Cejudo recently called for a title shot against featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski after his rival Max Holloway was forced to retire, reports The Mirror.
He took aim at McGregor in a rant at UFC president Dana White tweeting : "Dana, I needed a break. Honestly, it was getting boring beating up TJ Dillashaw in under a minute and Dominick Snooze in 2.
"I got married, had a kid and am now rejuvenated. I wanna be 4C. If I beat up an old guy at a bar and learn how to riverdance will you give me a shot?"
McGregor has now responded to Cejudo, tweeting: "Henry Cejuda [sic] is a fart."
Cejudo has not fought since his victory over Dominick Cruz back in May 2020 and announced he was hanging up his gloves from the sport.
However after reigning as champion at bantamweight and flyweight, Cejudo called for a shot at featherweight champion Volkanovski with a queue forming for the belt.
He has aimed a dig at White after the UFC president previously stated that the Irishman received "special treatment" due to the superstar status he holds in the promotion.
But White quickly dismissed the challenge from Cejudo branding it a f****** stupid conversation".
“Isn’t that guy retired?” White told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference at the UFC Apex. “He’s retired, isn’t he?
"I mean, the last time I saw him, he’s retired. And now he’s mad that he didn’t get a title shot? It doesn’t even make sense. In a different weight class? It doesn’t make sense.
"Yeah, so I should’ve jumped over everybody and gave it to him because all of a sudden last week he decided he isn’t retired? Come on, man. This is a f****** silly conversation. Silly.
"If he wants to come back and try to win the title again in his weight class and then talk about moving up or doing something else, (that’s one thing). But you don’t just f****** pop up and start calling somebody names and think that you’re going to get a title shot in a different weight class when you’ve been retired for, what, two and a half years?”
McGregor is hoping for a title shot of his own upon his return to the lightweight division against current champion Charles Oliveira.
However it looks increasingly unlikely with the UFC kingpin declaring that a title bout will be made between Oliveira and Justin Gaethje next.
Oliveira himself has admitted he is willing to "wait" for McGregor and would prefer to face the Irishman over the No.1 contender.
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