WHEN you’re a top athlete and have achieved all you can in your sport, the temptation to retire will always be there.
Over the weekend, Conor McGregor announced his decision to hang up his fight gloves on social media – the second time he’s made the claim.
But will the Irish UFC star perform a u-turn like these famous names and make a stunning return?
SunSport rounds up those that couldn’t shake off that competitive instinct.
MICHAEL JORDAN, TWICE
17 months from October 6, 1993 – March 18, 1995
Two years, nine months from January 13, 1999 – September 25, 2001
After losing his beloved father, who was gunned down during a carjacking, Jordan fell out love with basketball and retired from the Chicago Bulls in 1993.
On February 7, 1994 he signed a contract with Minor League Baseball team the Chicago White Sox, fulfilling a dream his father had for him to play Major League Baseball.
But, when the Major League went on strike he decided to quit because he didn’t want to become a replacement player.
On March 18, ‘Air Jordan’ returned to boost the Bulls and lifted three more NBA Championships between 1996-98.
He announced he was retiring again on January 13, 1999 when coach Phil Jackson’s contract wasn’t renewed.
However, two years later – and with the Washington Wizards, who he became part-owner of, he came out of retirement AGAIN in September 25, 2001.
Jordan vowed to donate his salary to a relief effort for the victims of the September 11 attacks.
He played in his final NBA game on April 16, 2003.
PAUL SCHOLES
Eight months – from May 31, 2011 to January 8, 2012
After enjoying an incredible career with Manchester United, winning the Champions League twice, as well as 10 Premier League titles, Paul Scholes hung up his boots.
But despite enjoying 17 successful years at the club, the mercurial midfielder wasn’t done.
Some eight months after quitting, he returned with the Red Devils suffering with an injury crisis.
He added an eleventh Premier League to his honours list, before retiring once more.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR, THREE TIMES
One year, nine months – from December 8, 2007 to September 19, 2009
One year, 11 months – from September 12, 2015 to August 26, 2017
One year, four months – from August 26, 2017 -December 31, 2018
‘Money’ Mayweather clearly loves a payday.
In 2007, after defeating Ricky Hatton he retired, only to return nearly two years later and defeat Juan Manuel Marquez by unanimous decision.
He continued to fight until 2015, the year he defeated Andre Berto to finish his boxing career with an unblemished 49-0 record.
In 2017, Mayweather jumped back into the ring for an exhibition fight against Conor McGregor that earned him over £200million.
Last time out, he battered Tenshin Nasukawa in Japan on December 31, 2018 in another exhibition bout.
And recently he revealed he’s itching to come back yet again.
THE UNDERTAKER, TWICE
One year – from April 2, 2017 – April 8, 2018
Two years – from April 8, 2018 to April 4, 2020
Over the years, the WWE legend’s body has taken a battering in becoming the seven-time world champion.
And 27-years since he was introduced to wrestling fans by the “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, he dramatically appeared to have left the squared circle following defeat to Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 33 by leaving his gloves and trademark hat in the ring and trudging off.
He returned to defeat John Cena, but then faced a two-year spell outside the ring until two months ago when he beat AJ Styles.
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
Three years, four months – from October 22, 2006 to March 14, 2010
The legendary German driver walked away from Formula One (or so we thought) in 2006, after winning a record seven championships with Ferrari.
Again, there was unfinished business there.
Frustrated in an advisor role for the Italian car giants, Schumacher jumped at the opportunity to return to the circuit with Mercedes in 2010.
But he failed to maintain that winning-feeling, despite flashes of brilliance including recording the fastest qualifying time at the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix.
He last race was at the Brazilian Grand Prix that same year.
GEORGE FOREMAN
10 years – from March 17, 1977 to March 9, 1987
Foreman is best remembered for beating Joe Frazier twice, and the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ against Muhammad Ali.
In 1977, he was pummelled by Jimmy Young, who won by unanimous decision.
Foreman collapsed in the dressing room after the fight, fell unconscious, before he claims he saw the hand of God who pulled him out of unconsciousness.
He turned to religion and became a preacher, until he returned to pay off debts the church had accrued in 1987 and returned to defeat Steve Zouski at the age of 38.
Seven years later he shocked the world and won the WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles by knocking out Michael Moorer.
KIM CLIJSTERS, TWICE
Two years, three months -from May, 2007 to August, 2009
Seven years, five months – from September, 2012 to February, 2020
The former women’s world No1 and three-time US Open champion first retired at the age of 23 to get married and have a baby.
She returned two years later and won her second US Open title as an unranked player in only her third tournament back.
Clijsters, now 36, retired again in 2012, but shocked the world earlier this year when she began her second comeback at the Dubai Tennis Championships losing to Johanna Konta.
MICHAEL PHELPS
One year, eight months – from August, 2012 to April, 2014
The legendary American athlete retired from swimming after winning his 18th Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games.
“I’m done. I’m finished. I’m retired. I’m done. No more,” he declared.
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In 2014, Phelps began training and competing in national events with a goal to improve the ailing US men’s swimming team for Rio 2019.
In his fifth Olympics, he added five more gold medals to his haul, earning the tag ‘The greatest Olympian ever’.
Then, he was done again.
