Conor in cuffs
Mixed martial arts fighter is charged over UFC rampage
MIXED martial arts star Conor McGregor could face prison after being charged over a rampage at a UFC press event.
The fighter, 29, was yesterday seen being led out of a New York City police station in handcuffs ahead of his appearance in court.
NYPD’s Thomas Antonetti said: “He’s been charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief.” If found guilty, McGregor could serve up to seven years in jail.
Experts warned the former twoweight champ could face a battle to re-enter the States, where he made his £24million fortune, if convicted.
McGregor, who had been stripped of his lightweight title on Wednesday, turned himself in at a police station in Brooklyn late on Thursday. Police said a teammate, fellow Irishman Cian Cowley, 25, was also charged with assault and criminal mischief.
Video appears to show McGregor and his entourage throwing a barrier and trolley at a coach taking other fighters from Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Thursday, after an event ahead of tonight’s UFC 223 fight card.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, favourite to win McGregor’s vacant title, and Michael Chiesa were onboard.
McGregor allegedly threw the trolley, breaking a window. Chiesa was forced to pull out of his fight due to facial injuries from shattered glass. He has filed a police complaint.
It is understood McGregor, who allegedly caused more than £1,000 of damage, was targeting Nurmagomedov. The Dubliner’s training partner Artem Lobov, involved in a row with the Russian on Tuesday, has been dropped from tonight’s fight card for being part of the group.
US legal expert Larry Donnelly said any conviction could have “very serious consequences” for McGregor, who became a UFC champ in 2015. He said: “It could lead to a temporary or even permanent ban from the US.”