‘The Notorious’ swaps his UFC belt for handcuffs
Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor walks out of the 78th police precinct in New York yesterday after charges were laid against him following a melee in Brooklyn on Thursday night.
CONOR McGregor’s US fighting career has been thrown into doubt – with the possibility he could be denied a working visa in the States following charges of assault.
The fighter was freed to return to Ireland last night after being charged in a New York court.
McGregor was released on a $50,000 (€41,000) bail, and is due to reappear on June 14.
He was charged with three counts of assault and one of criminal mischief, according to an NYPD spokesperson.
During the court sitting, McGregor was ordered to stay away from five named individuals.
Cian Cowley, another MMA fighter from Dublin, was released on $25,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court again on June 14.
He was ordered to stay away from four named individuals.
Footage emerged yesterday of McGregor being led out of a police station in Brooklyn before a court appearance to face the charges.
He was detained following an incident at a UFC media day in Brooklyn on Thursday.
The Irishman and up to 20 of his entourage appeared to attack a bus with rival MMA fighters onboard after a press event. The 29-year-old had earlier been stripped of his UFC lightweight title. CBS Boston News has published footage of McGregor being led from the police station in handcuffs to a waiting car to transport him tocourt.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is ready to provide assistance to the two men if required.
The incident has led to doubts that McGregor will be given permission to travel to the States again by US immigration.
According to information on the website of the US Embassy in Ireland, anyone who has ever been arrested, cautioned or convicted of an offence, is required to declare it when applying for a visa into the country.
“In cases where an arrest resulted in a conviction, you may be permanently ineligible to receive a visa,” advice on the site says.
A well-placed source on American immigration laws has told the Irish Independent that decisions on visa denials are made on a case-by-case basis.
“If you were convicted of something like that, it’s going to decrease your chances. The more serious the crime, the more chance you will be denied a visa.”
The source added that decisions are at the discretion of the immigration officer.
UFC president Dana White said he didn’t know if McGregor would fight in UFC again.
If he does not fight again this year, his loss of earnings could be €20m.
Rob Pearson, of sponsorship agency Teneo PSG, said that McGregor’s income from fighting in the octagon far outweighs that of his endorsements.
“While many athletes need to supplement their income with endorsement deals, McGregor’s reality is very different.
“He is worth over €140m according to the ‘Sunday Independent’ rich list and makes on average $15m-$20m (€12m-€16m) per fight in the UFC.”