THREE BOUT KNOCKOUT
McGregor’s off-ticket fight leads to arrest, shakes up UFC 223
Star brawler Conor McGregor is a free man, following a backstage melee in an outburst that could harm his star power.
The 29-year-old posted $50,000 bond at his arraignment yesterday in Brooklyn.
McGregor answered, “Yes, your honor,” when the judge asked whether he understood orders to stay away from the alleged victims in the case. He also was charged with misdemeanor assault, menacing and reckless endangerment.
McGregor and co-defendant Cian Cowley are due back in court June 14.
The two men exited the courthouse, got into an SUV and left.
McGregor’s attorney, Jim Walden, asked Judge Connie Melendez to allow his client to travel and “pursue his craft.” Walden said McGregor is “the most visible face on the planet” and has no criminal history.
McGregor’s violent outburst Thursday night forced the removal of three fights off UFC’s biggest card of the year.
Video footage appears to show the promotion’s most bankable star throwing a hand truck at a bus full of fighters, after a press conference for UFC 223 at Barclays Center.
Video showed McGregor with a group of people causing chaos Thursday as they took an elevator to the loading dock at Barclays Center. He can be seen tossing trash cans and being prevented from throwing a barricade at a bus during his unannounced appearance in New York.
The New York Police Department said McGregor caused minor injury to an individual on the bus. UFC said three fights on tonight’s UFC 223 card have been scrapped as a result of the incident.
McGregor hasn’t fought for UFC since November 2016 and was stripped this week by UFC President Dana White of the 155-pound championship he had never defended.
“He came into the Barclays Center, attacked our fighters and attacked my staff with a bunch of guys. No, you don’t get my help on this one,” White said on ESPN yesterday.
McGregor sure made his presence felt in Brooklyn.
He profanely responded on Twitter and wrote, “You’ll strip me of nothing.” He was just getting started.
McGregor last fought in a boxing match he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Aug. 26, 2017.
The popular Irishman is tight with UFC 223 fighter Artem Lobov, who was involved this week in a scuffle in a hotel with Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov will fight Max Holloway for the lightweight championship left vacant by McGregor.
Lobov was yanked from the card and banned from the building.
Michael Chiesa was sent to the hospital with injuries sustained in the attack and was forced out of his scheduled fight against Anthony Pettis.
“A decision was made by the New York State Athletic Commission to pull me from UFC 223,” Chiesa tweeted. “I’m devastated to say the least. @showtimepettis I hope to run this match up ASAP. June 9th in your backyard. That’s all I have to say for now. Much love.”
Flyweight Ray Borg suffered multiple cornea abrasions in the wake of the McGregor attack, and his fight against Brandon Moreno was also scratched.