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.
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.
jimmy
Guest
Apologies! Misread your comment. Last I read Dana hasn't made any calls on Russia...he said as much 2 days ago. Hard to believe he wouldn't want Khabib there though.
shirtpants
Roar Guru
I didn't mention Conor in Russia, I said Khabib in Russia from the post fight interview from UFC 223 I believe it was. It was sometime this last week anyway. Dana said something along the lines of "I don't want him fighting in Russia, but maybe the next time we go there". And I didn't say it wasn't a ploy from McGregor to build up hype but it certainly wasn't a UFC directive, but there's clearly a genuine hatred between the pair. McGregor took it waaaay too far, hurting other fighters and acting like a little child throwing a tantrum. Conor was always going to be at 223 in some form.
Rellum
Roar Guru
It clearly looked staged. Even the MMA boss's comments seem like it was a stunt. But I think McGregor went way overboard during that stunt, lost control, hurt people and broke laws. I would bet in McGregor's mind he was doing great, selling himself.
jimmy
Guest
Actually, if you apply logic and not conspiracy, there's no other conclusion to make other than this being a set up. The idea of Conor flying from Ireland to the States with a bunch of his buddies and attacking a bus to get back at Khabib for threatening his friend, is taken straight from the pages of WWE. Do you really think a guy who is as good a self-promoter as McGregor wouldn't be planning his next fight and how to make the most amount of money out of it as possible?? Dana hasn't said anything about Conor fighting in RUssia, so I'm not sure where you found that. JUst today he said "‘I don’t know. You can’t ask me anything about Conor. I don’t know anything about Conor. I haven’t thought about it." What he did say was this last year: “You know what Conor told me? I want Khabib in Russia,'”
shirtpants
Roar Guru
With Jones the main part to focus on is the run. That's the deliberate action. Everyone's issue with Brock is that even though we all suspected he was on roids, he was granted a waiver from the 3-6 month (whichever it is) doping pool so he could fight. Everyone knew he'd piss hot but it's all about the money. As for Conor, terrible actions but he will definitely fight again and it'll break PPV records which is all anyone at the UFC cares about. All publicity is good publicity.
shirtpants
Roar Guru
Except Dana said Khabib wont be fighting on the Russia card later this year. People need to lose the tinfoil hat every now and then
shirtpants
Roar Guru
Except Dana said Khabib wont be fighting on the Russia card later this year. People need to lose the tinfoil hat every now and then
jimmy
Guest
All about hyping a Conor vs Khabib fight in Russia in front of the biggest crowd in UFC history...
Ronnie Liddle
Roar Rookie
Tough call on some of those mentioned fighters. Jone Jones = Hit and run traffic accident. it was an accident. Like he was deliberately aiming for a pregnant woman? Failed drug tests... took coke in brazil and tainted dick pills. Not like he was on HGH. Brock = pissed hot - once - while in the UFC. Connor = Slaps MMA referee during an event, throws water bottle into the crowd during a press conference, gets into a fight with Irish gansters, attacks a bus with MMA on it and is unapologetic. comparing connor's deliberate actions to other's... to each there own, mate. Agreed = UFC wont dumb Connor even if he goes to jail. Someone else will get that $$$$$. they will promote that fight like no other but will struggle to keep their brand stable as more and more fans see them as changing the goal posts. Once they promoted the best fights now they are promoting the biggest selling fighters.
Jerry
Guest
How has Brock Lesnar cheated more times than we can count? He's only been popped once, right? I mean, he was on the gear when he was a pro wrestler for sure, but he never tested positive in his initial UFC stint - and I know that was pre USADA but his opponents were as likely to be on something as he was.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Don’t understand the motivation behind this. He is either batshit crazy or a genius. I think he is batshit crazy. Why do this? Surely he made enough money from the Mayweather fight to never fight again. But this bloke is definitely a chump not a champ. Never defended any title he won and ran off to do a ten round dance with an old Floyd for one hundred million and now this. Just lock him up. The ufc has found there mike Tyson. When is GSP coming back? he is the best the ufc has to offer right now
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
This is a brutal sport, I hope the participants don't end up brain damaged for the entertainment of the mobs.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Definitely a media campaign. Media is played by McGregor to promote his career.
Rellum
Roar Guru
That is why I assumed there was cameras following them everywhere
shirtpants
Roar Guru
Absolutely 100% not staged. He has assault charges filed against him, not to mention the civil suits that will follow. Borg could have gone blind. The entire card could have been scrapped and would have been at a huuuge loss.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I don't watch MMA, but that footage to me looks like he thinks he is marketing his next fight. Drumming up media controversy which leads to eye balls on a fight. Was he even supposed to be fighting soon? I assume there are loads of cameras and microphones around MMA fighters all the time, other wise the whole thing looked staged.
shirtpants
Roar Guru
McGregor clearly has some issues in his personal life that need sorting out. He'll not doubt lose a lot of money over this but he will most certainly be back if and when he wants to return. Hopefully Khabib is still the champion (assuming he makes light work of Iaquinta) and it sets up an enormous fight late this year. Does anyone know how assault charges would affect a possible VISA in the US? I know some countries are quite strict.
farqueue
Guest
UFC becoming exactly what it promised it wouldn't.....do fights for the most money....not the most deserving. It's sad...so sad....so sad....so sad. It's a sad sad situation.