Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CONOR’S HEADING TO HELL ..WITH A HANDCART »
Unseen footage of »Star fans lend their UFC fracas emerges backing to Notorious
CONOR McGregor is facing 11 years behind bars over his shocking fracas in New York.
The Notorious was charged with assault and criminal mischief following violence at a UFC media event in Brooklyn on Thursday.
The Dubliner, 29, was released on $50,000 bail on Friday and was allowed to fly home to Ireland.
Previously unseen footage has been released by the UFC which shows a bus carrying fighters coming under attack.
McGregor’s manager Audie A Attar said: “So much rumour and misinformation about my client, Conor McGregor.
“The matter is in the hands of law enforcement and I cannot really say more.
“Conor is a great father, a fiercely loyal friend and one of the best athletes in the world.
“He looks forward to getting back to fighting as soon as possible.”
McGregor’s Straight Blast Gym teammate Cian Cowley, 25, from Dalkey, South Dublin, was also charged with assault and criminal mischief over the incident and was bailed for $25,000.
Both men are due back in New York for a court appearance on June 14. McGregor’s bail was paid for by teammate Dillon Danis.
He went straight from the courthouse to his bail bondsman’s office, who said he “could not have been nicer”.
McGregor, a former apprentice plumber from Crumlin, South Dublin, was involved in a melee following a press event for UFC 223.
Video footage appears to show him and his entourage attacking a bus containing fighters.
The star can allegedly be seen grabbing a metal barrier and attempting to throw it at the bus.
He then appears to find a wheeled trolley and launch it at the vehicle, smashing one of the windows.
The UFC 223 Embedded video captures scenes inside the bus and a badly cut Michael Chiesa, who was sitting beside a window when it shattered.
Two UFC fighters, Chiesa and Ray Borg, were pulled from upcoming bouts due to injuries they sustained in the fracas.
A third athlete, Artem Lobov – a close friend and training partner of McGregor – was also removed from the card due to his “involvement in the incident”, UFC said.
Reports suggested the confrontation had been sparked by an earlier run-in Lobov had with UFC lightweight title contender Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov, who was also on the bus, sent a message to the Irishman. He said: “Just tell me where.
Why do you need to come here and show up like you want to fight?
“Send me a message, ‘Come here, this place’ and that is it, without security, without UFC, let me know where and what time.”
McGregor could face up to 11 years in prison for two felony charges for criminal mischief, according to New York sentencing guidelines.
TMZ reported Chiesa is pressing charges after receiving the cut to his face. Pop stars and fellow fighters have come out to support McGregor.
Canadian singer Justin Bieber, who backed McGregor in his fight against Nate Diaz, told TMZ Sports: “I think Conor will be fine. We all make mistakes.”
UFC middleweight fighter Michael Bisping was asked if he had any advice for the Notorious.
He added: “Don’t pick up the soap.
I think Conor will be fine. We all make mistakes sometimes JUSTIN BIEBER ON SUPPORT FOR McGREGOR
Conor is not trying to be a gangster. Conor is just trying to look after his boys.
“He made a mistake, that’s all it is. He f ***** d up, we all f**k up.
“Everyone still loves him, he’ll be back.”
UFC fan Travis Barker, of rock band Blink 182, said: “I would’ve probably done the same thing if someone punked my friend.
“It’s unfortunate other fighters got hurt.
“I love him to death, crazy motherf **** r.
“I can’t agree with everything he did, he has to apologise. He should definitely be punished.
US rapper Chris Brown added: “We all get crazy sometimes.”