Yesterday shocking footage emerged of MMA fighter Conor McGregor attacking a bus carrying rival UFC contestants. In the video, McGregor picks up a dolly and hurls it at the bus window, shattering the glass. At least two athletes were injured from the flying fragments. UFC Lightweight Michael Chisea suffered a laceration to his face and cuts on his upper body. Another fighter, Ray Borg, suffered multiple corneal abrasions. Both athletes were scheduled to compete this weekend at UFC23, but now their fights have been cancelled. UFC officials deem them unfit to fight, due to their injuries.
McGregor's motives have yet to be confirmed, but it is believed he went on this rampage for revenge. Earlier this week, his close friend and personal trainer, Artem Lobov, got into an altercation at a hotel with Khabib Nurmagomedove. Nurmagomedove happens to be McGregor's long-time rival. According to UFC fan theories, the Irishman traveled to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to retaliate, attacking the bus to confront Nurmagomedove. The UFC has cancelled Lobov's fight as well, "due to Lobov's involvement in the incident."
In the aftermath, MMA reporter Ariel Helwani caught up with Nurmagomedov, who said that he is"'laughing inside." "You broke window?" asked the 29-year-old Russian. "Why? Come inside. If you real gangster why don’t you come inside? This is big history gangster place. Brooklyn. You want to talk to me? Send me location. I am going to come. No problem."
After the wild attack, McGregor turned himself into authorities, and spent the night in lock-up. The New York Police Department says the 29-year-old has been charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief. McGregor's friend, fellow MMA fighter Cian Cowley was also charged with assault.
This morning detectives led the MMA Fighter out of the Brooklyn police precinct, to appear in court. The booking records list his weight at 155 pounds, which happens to be the weigh-in limit for the lightweight division. However, McGregor's last UFC fight was in November 2016, when he won the lightweight championship, according to Bleacher Report. Since he has failed to fight in 18 months, he has vacated his championship belt.
McGregor got in a black sedan, looking somber, and ignored the press as they shouted questions. He was not scheduled to compete at the UFC23 event this weekend, and it is unlikely he will be fighting any time soon. In a statement on Twitter, the UFC said, "The organization deems today's disruption completely unacceptable and is currently working on the consequences that will follow." UFC President Dana White has described the attack as "the most disgusting thing that ever happened in the history of UFC" and has warned McGregor that many lawsuits will be heading his way.
McGregor's last competition of any kind was eight months ago, when he lost to Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match. It was rumored that he would return the UFC soon. The Irishman is one of the biggest stars in the sport - the only man to hold titles in two different weight classes, and has four of the six highest grossing pay per views in history. However, this incident is certain to have some repercussions. Well, if it doesn't work out with the UFC, he could always join the WWE.
