Conor McGregor: I'm Not Retired ... 'Paid to Fight, Not Promote'

Conor McGregor says he is NOT retired -- still wants to fight at UFC 200 -- and blasted the UFC saying he's paid to fight, not to promote.

In a long post to social media, McGregor essentially says he's been caught up in the PR machine -- and it distracted him from his main focus ... fighting.

"I have become lost in the game of promotion and forgot about the art of fighting."

"Talking to some lady that deep down doesn't give a f**k about what I'm doing, but just wants some sound bites so she can maybe get her little tight ass a nice raise, and I'm cool with that too, I've been giving you all raises. But I need to focus on me now."

McGregor says he tried to strike a compromise with the UFC -- asking for permission to skip the Vegas press conference this weekend and instead only hitting the "big" events like the upcoming presser in NYC, but was shot down.

Conor says he doesn't think the decision to yank him from UFC 200 is fair considering how much money he's made for the UFC over the years.

"I feel the $400million I have generated for the company in my last three events, all inside 8 months, is enough to get me this slight leeway."

"I am still ready to go for UFC 200."

He also took a shot at Nate Diaz -- "Nate's little mush head looks good up on that stage these days. Stuff him in front of the camera for it."

He concludes by addressing his "retirement" tweet -- saying, "For USADA and for the UFC and my contract stipulations - I AM NOT RETIRED."