Daily Times

Conor McGregor is infamous for his notorious antics e.g. throwing cans at opponents, jumping into a cage and shoving the referee and his usual trashtalk that none can simply outshine. But to throw dollies, racks, chairs and whatsoever found at vehicles carrying fighters – injuring a couple – is going a bit too far.

It all unfolded when the former two-division UFC Champion stormed the Barclays Centre in New York with his SBG Ireland teammates and went on a rampage. As per reports, he was looking for Khabib Nurmagomedov – in a possible revenge to the confrontation between Khabib and Conor’s buddy Artem Lobov.

In sheer anger, the Irishman picked up a dolly and threw it at the bus; crashing the window and injuring Lightweight Michael Chiesa and Flyweight Ray Borg in the process. Both Chiesa and Borg, who were scheduled to fight at UFC 223 a couple of days from now, are out of their bouts. Additionally, Artem Lobov, who was also on the card, has been pulled out due to his involvement in the attack.

As of now, Conor is in police custody and is charged with assault and criminal mischief. He is also suspended from attending the UFC 223 event and further action will be taken against him only after the promotion has inquired the matter thoroughly.

His outrage has cost UFC three fights – Michael Chiesa vs Anthony Pettis, Ray Borg vs Hector Moreno and Alex Caceres vs Arterm Lobov. Moreover, UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas just about survived an injury.

UFC President Dana White termed the incident as the most disgusting one in the history of the promotion. “Broke one of the windows, cut Michael Chiesa real bad, cut his hand, cut his face. Rose Namajunas apparently was almost hit. She’s super upset right now and basically left and walked back to the hotel. And one of our employees — broke one of our employee’s knuckles. Other injuries, and obviously everybody’s shaken up when 30 thugs storm a (bus). This is the most disgusting thing that has ever happened in the history of the company,” he said.

Lightweight title contender Khabib – who McGregor was all guns blazing for – said ‘I was laughing’. “You broke window? Why? Come inside. You know UFC don’t let you come inside. If you real gangster why don’t you come inside?” he said while speaking to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani.

“This is big history gangster place. Brooklyn. You want to talk to me? Send me location. We have to talk? I am gonna come, no problem,” Khabib added.

McGregor is being criticised for his actions and rightly so. MMA is a violent sport, but only within the bounds of a cage. Outside, MMA and martial arts in particular is a sport that demands respect for others, integrity and professionalism.

What the Irishman did can not be condoned. If he wanted to settle the scores with Khabib, whatever they might be, he could have done so by accepting to fight him when Ferguson pulled out. Or least, stop the Russian backstage and talk to him one-on-one. Vandalising buses and hurting people is disgraceful and needs to be dealt with.

It is such a shame that someone like McGregor, who is so richly talented and has the potential to climb up top as the greatest of all time, is putting his legacy at stake with his occasional tantrums. That he thinks he’s bigger than the sport is dangerous and if UFC does not serve him a reality check, things might get worse.

And if it was a promo for a potential Khabib vs McGregor fight in Russia – although it did get the ratings – it was a bad move.