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Connor McGregor is dominating the UFC 223 headlines after throwing multiple blunt objects at a bus filled with UFC 223 fighters.
According to multiple news reports, McGregor travelled all the way from Ireland to New York to confront Khabib Nurmagomedov after Nurmagomedov attempted to intimidate the Irishman’s sparring partner and friend.
What an absolute mess.
As a result of McGregor’s actions, UFC president Dana White called the incident, “the most disgusting thing that has ever happened in UFC history.”
Michael Chisea has been ruled out for his fight against Anthony Pettis, and Ray Borg will be forced to pull from his fight as a result of the shattered glass from the incident.
With this recent act, following his disrespectful attack of referee Marc Goodard after a fight in November 2017, McGregor has shown himself to be a person with absolutely no regard of outside-the-octagon MMA standards. I don’t think anything I’m saying comes as any a bit of a surprise.
‘Notorious’ McGregor is not a role model, at least not anymore, and certainly undeserving of any cheers. The lack of respect for his MMA brethren is unprecedented, and while I was all aboard the heel-role he played – assault and battery cannot be excused.
However (and this is a big however), I do not believe that this should be or is the end of Connor McGregor’s UFC career.
Whether you like them or not, McGregor, along with Jon ‘Bones’ Jones would be the two biggest draws to headline a fight. What do both of these guys have in common? They both have track records of bad behaviour – Jones far worse than that of The Notorious Connor.
(AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)
Sure, McGregor may not truly deserve a fight against Khabib, but if I was Dana White, the only matchup that would be on my mind is Nurmagomedov-Conor. The precedent of letting disgraced athletes back into the UFC has already been well established.
Brock Lesnar has cheated more times than we can count, and the aforementioned Jones failed multiple drug tests, has had DUIs and was charged with a hit-and-run on a pregnant woman.
In no way am I excusing McGregor’s actions, because frankly, they are terrible. I cannot get behind the rhetoric that it is okay because he was supporting a friend.
But what is for absolutely certain, is that he is still a good fighter and he versus Khabib would not only make for an entertaining fight, but one with perhaps the greatest storyline in UFC history.
Former UFC heavyweight fighter Brendan Schaub echoed my sentiments in a video he released yesterday (April 5) over Twitter.
Stating Conor vs Khabib is potentially biggest fight in UFC history after todays chaos is NOT defending Conor’s actions in any way. #UFC223 #ConorMcGregor #Mightwannalaylowforawhile pic.twitter.com/AjQ0rsvRyF
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) April 5, 2018
As this article is being typed, McGregor turned himself into New York police. Assuming a big ban from Dana White and/or the Nevada State Athletic commision, Conor will get to continue his massive break from MMA.
Assuming Khabib beats Holloway (which if he doesn’t would be an incredible upset), it is hard to fathom that the next fight isn’t against the replaced Tony Ferguson now that McGregor has put himself in a corner.
But assuming Khabib wins as planned, I hope to see McGregor back in the Octagon against the undefeated Russian. There is no denying the draw McGregor brings – look at the noise he makes even when he isn’t fighting.
The man hasn’t fought in ages, yet he is still the most talked about fighter.
He’s wildly irresponsible and incredibly selfish, but McGregor is certainly worth the UFC’s time.
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