mma / News

UPDATEDx3: UFC Issues Statement on Conor McGregor’s Attack of UFC Bus, Says Consequences Are Coming

April 5, 2018 | Posted by Jeffrey Harris

UPDATE 3: The UFC has issued a statement about Conor McGregor’s assault on a bus of UFC fighters after a media day event ahead of UFC 223. The company issued the statement on UFC.com confirming that Artem Lobov’s fight with Alex Caceres has been cancelled due to his participation in the incident alongside McGregor. The statement also says that none of the aggressors are welcome at the show or weigh-ins and that “consequences” will follow in regard to the incident:

During today’s media event at Barclays Center to promote ‘UFC 223: Khabib vs. Holloway,’ Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov entered the building accompanied by over a dozen individuals.

“The group, which included McGregor and Lobov, vandalized the vehicle that contained a number of athletes competing at the event taking place this weekend. NYPD was immediately alerted and is currently in the process of investigating the situation. UFC is working very closely with the New York Athletic Commission, Barclays Center security and law enforcement authorities. All parties are working together to ensure the highest standard of proper safety precautions are implemented to protect the fans and athletes.

“The organization deems today’s disruption completely unacceptable and is currently working on the consequences that will follow. Immediately, Lobov has been removed from this weekend’s card and individuals involved in the incident are not welcome at tomorrow’s ceremonial weigh-in or Saturday’s event at Barclays Center.

UPDATE 2: A spokesperson for the New York Police Department says that there is currently no warrant out for Conor McGregor in relation to his attack on a bus of UFC fighters at Barclays Center on Thursday. NYPD representative Lt. Tarik Sheppard told MMAjunkie that McGregor is being sought for questioning, but has not yet been charged with anything in the attack.

“Right now, we don’t have units out there searching for him or anything like that,” Sheppard said. “We’re just trying to make contact.”

Sheppard indicated that this might change if McGregor won’t submit to questioning, noting that the NYPD will work with the UFC and McGregor’s people to arrange the fighter being brought in for questioning. “If (McGregor won’t come in), there’s an official way to go about it,” he said. “Once a report is made and charges are filed, now it’s not we’re looking to speak to you – we’re coming to speak to you. A warrant would be issued for your arrest. We’re nowhere near something like that right now.”

The spokesperson said that based on his knowledge of what went down, McGregor’s actions would probably constitute a charge of misdemeanor assault. That carries a maximum sentence in jail of three months to a year. He noted, though, “However, I don’t know the full status of what the person is saying in regards to their injuries. If their injuries include a disfigurement from the glass where they’re going to be scarred for life, that would be a felony.”

Sheppard said there is currently no time limit for McGregor to come in but confirmed Dana White’s assertion that he will not be able to fly out on his private plane, saying, “I think if he was at an airport right now, the police would walk up to him and say, ‘Hey, we want to speak to you,’ and he would not be allowed to leave.”

UPDATED: ESPN released a video with UFC President Dana White with his statements on the incident, which you can see below. Highlights include:

* White says the attack was perpetrated by Conor McGregor and around 20 other guys who were let into the facility by the credentialed MacLife guys.
* He said the group attacked the busses by throwing trash cans, bike racks, chairs and dollies.
* Confirmed that Michael Chiesa was “cut really bad” in the attack including cuts to his head, face, and hand and that he is in the hospital now.
* Confirmed that Rose Namajunas was almost hit in the attack and is very shaken up.
* A UFC employee suffered a broken knuckle in the attack.
* White called the attack the “most disgusting thing” that has happened in the history of UFC.
* White confirmed that there is a warrant out for Conor McGregor’s arrest and that his plane will not be allowed to take off.
* Said he thinks McGregor is going to be “sued beyond belief.”
* Called it a “real bad career move” for McGregor.
* Said his relationship with McGregor is “not good” right now.
* Said McGregor has “beef” with Khabib Nurmagomedov who was on the bus.
* He has not tried to talk to Conor yet.
* Said he knew Conor was in town last night.
* Said Conor is on video throwing things at the bus, said it’s “all on video.” Said they have video from security cameras, as well as people shooting video on their phones from both inside and outside the bus and said “everything is on camera” including the MacLife guys letting them in.
* Said he doesn’t want to be in business with Conor McGregor “right now.”
* Said if Conor didn’t like Khabib, he should have fought him legally in UFC.
* Said he doesn’t know why Conor would do this and didn’t know if he was on drugs.
* Confirmed Artem Lobov was part of the attack and is now off the UFC card this weekend.
* Said he hopes the two guys from MacLife get arrested.
* Said he already knows of a “handful” of people who are filing lawsuits against Conor.

ORIGINAL: Per TMZ, UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor went on some sort of insane rampage and attempted to attacked a bus containing UFC lightweight fighter and Ultimate Fighter winner Michael Chiesa. Some video footage was also obtained of the incident which you can see below.

According to the report, McGregor and his entourage were involved in an incident at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the site of where UFC 223 is scheduled to be held this Saturday, April 7. McGregor and his entourage allegedly went “berserk” and attacked a bus that was leaving the arena. The bus held several UFC fighters, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is scheduled to fight Max Holloway in the main event of Saturday’s card for the lightweight title.

A member of McGregor’s entourage reportedly grabbed a chair and threw it through the front windshield of the bus. McGregor then grabbed a chair and tried to attack the bus as well before he was restrained. Per the report, it appears McGregor also shattered the side window with a dolly cart. The people on the bus in the video suspect it was McGregor.

The incident appeared to cut up and bloody Chiesa, who was scheduled to fight Anthony Pettis at UFC 223 this weekend. TMZ Sports also reports that Dana White stated that Michael Chiesa was “cut to pieces” during the incident. He’s currently in the hospital for his injuries.

UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas was also on the bus. According to White, she was shaken up by the incident and almost broke her hand. Namajunas is scheduled to fight Joanna Jędrzejczyk in a rematch for her UFC title this weekend.

When TMZ asked if McGregor would be fired over the incident, White responded, “This is bigger than us firing him.”

You can see TMZ’s videos of the incident that were revealed earlier below.

MMA reporter Damon Martin has also weighed in on the incident on Twitter. Based on his tweets, the New York Police Department has a warrant out for the arrest of Conor McGregor. Additionally, Artem Lobov is off his scheduled fight for UFC 223 against Alex Caceres. Lobov is a longtime friend and training partner of Conor McGregor. ESPN’s Brett Okamoto also confirmed that Dana White stated that McGregor has a warrant out for his arrest. His plane is not allowed to leave New York City. However, Okamoto also reported that NYPD is investigating the incident and has not yet filed a warrant for McGregor’s arrest.

Additionally, it was members of MacLife, who were credentialed media for UFC 223, who let Conor McGregor into the Barclays Center before the attack. The details of what incited the incident are not revealed.

As previously reported, the UFC was likely going to strip Conor McGregor of his UFC lightweight title later this weekend. The winner of Max Holloway vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov was said to become the new lightweight champion.

McGregor is known for his outspoken verbal style, attitude and trash talk. Many other fighters have talked trash with him back and forth in public and on social media. He was previously involved in a public incident where he and Nate Diaz threw objects at each other at a press conference. However, the trash talking never went this far.

This situation is still developing and how it plays out remains to be seen. The UFC has not yet released an official announcement on the incident or how this will affect UFC 223, which is set for Saturday.

More Trending Stories

article topics :

Conor McGregor, Michael Chiesa, UFC, UFC 223, Jeffrey Harris

More Stories

loading