Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I REGRET ‘BUS ASSAULT’
Mcgregor in New York court battle over melee that left two rival fighters injured
CONOR Mcgregor has said he is remorseful over a bus attack that left two rival fighters injured.
Speaking outside court in New York yesterday, the Notorious, 29, added: “I regret my actions that led to today.”
The UFC hero’s statement came after prosecutors told the judge talks for a plea deal were taking place.
I understand how serious this is and I am hopeful this will get worked out CONOR MCGREGOR NEW YORK YESTERDAY
CONOR Mcgregor is negotiating a plea deal over an attack that left two rival MMA fighters injured, it was revealed yesterday.
Speaking outside a New York court after his second appearance before a judge, the 29-year-old Dubliner said: “I regret my actions that led to today.
“I understand the seriousness of this matter and I am hopeful this will get worked out.”
The Notorious’ manager Audie Attar attended the hearing, alongside New Jersey-based publicist Karen Kessler.
Speaking outside afterwards, Attar said: “Right now we are in good negotiations with the District Attorney.”
Mcgregor’s brief statement came moments after prosecutors told Judge Raymond Rodriguez negotiations for a plea deal were taking place.
The millionaire cage fighter and fellow Dublin competitor Cian Cowley, who both face three assault charges and one of criminal mischief, said nothing during the 90-second hearing.
The fourth-floor courtroom was packed as Mcgregor, wearing a blue check suit, patterned tie and pale blue shirt, strode in alongside 25-year-old Cowley.
Judge Rodriguez adjourned the hearing until July 26, continued Mcgregor’s $50,000 bail and Cowley’s $25,000 bail and extended the order of protection barring either man from contacting witnesses.
Mcgregor turned himself in to a Brooklyn police station in April after he was captured on video hurling a metal security barrier and other objects at a bus full of rivals at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The melee, involving 20 to 30 men, left fighters Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg with lacerations and threw that weekend’s UFC223 tournament into chaos after they were ruled medically unfit to take part.
The fracas is alleged to have stemmed from a feud between Mcgregor and rival Khabib Nirmagomedov, who was sitting on the bus when the incident happened.
The two-weight Ultimate Fighting Championship winner Mcgregor and Cowley, who scored his first professional victory at the weekend, are believed to have flown into New York by private jet on Tuesday ahead of their court appearance.
Mcgregor – recently named fourth on Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list – and Cowley arrived and left the court in a chauffeurdriven black SUV with tinted windows.
Several fans gathered outside the court, including a man wrapped in an Irish flag who was holding a sign reading: “The champ does what the fook he wants.”