Conor McGregor is one emotional fighter. He lets his emotions fuel his fights, which aside from his sheer talent and skill, has paved the way for him to become a multiple weight UFC champion. He isn’t called “The Notorious” for nothing. However, fans and MMA authorities were shocked nonetheless at the actions showed by the UFC champion at the Bellator 187. McGregor has since deleted his initial crude statement on social media in place of a more refined apology to all parties concerned for his actions.
McGregor Jumps into the Cage
Connor McGregor hasn’t had a fight since his bout with Floyd Mayweather, but when he jumped into the Bellator 187 cage it wasn’t to fight, but to congratulate his longtime buddy and SBG teammate Charlie Ward for his TKO victory over John Redmond. Now, this isn’t the first time McGregor attempted to enter the cage to congratulate a teammate, but this one, he actually succeeded into jumping over the cage at what seemed like an untimely moment. For, according to referee Marc Goddard, the game hasn’t been called yet.
McGregor, emotional for his teammate at this point, went mad at Goddard and this wasn’t the first time the two had an altercation as well. Previously during the UFC Fight Night 118 in Gdansk, Poland, McGregor was shouting instructions to Lobov, one of his training partners. Seeing that McGregor was not a licensed corner for the fight, Goddard instructed him to return to his seat.
Marc Goddard’s Statement on the Issue
In a lengthy statement posted by Marc Goddard, a veteran official, the only reason he approached Charlie Ward during the ruckus was to instruct him to go back to his corner as the fight has not been called yet. This was when McGregor blew his fuse, refusing to believe that Ward’s opponent can no longer fight for the remainder of the match. While this was true, Goddard wanted to call both fighters to their corners so that a physician could make an assessment as to whether John Redmond would still be allowed to fight. None of this was able to happen due to the commotion that ensued.
Even with many of the MMA community enraged at the Irishman’s actions during Bellator 187, Goddard has stated that he holds no ill will for the UFC champion, adding that he has known McGregor before his rise to stardom and holds him in the same respect as before.
What Now for McGregor?
Mike Mazulli, serving as the ad hoc commissioner during the Bellator event and president of the Association of Boxing Commissions is firm on taking actions against The Notorious. In a statement issued by Mazulli, he states that Irishman is not bigger than the sport of MMA.
While there isn’t an official statement on the sanctions the Irishman might face, there are speculations that he might be facing a ban, a suspension, or a license removal. For a multiple weight UFC champion who has accomplished much in his lifetime as an MMA fighter, this could be a big blow to his career.
Tony Ferguson, the favored challenger for McGregor’s UFC lightweight belt should a fight happen, believes that McGregor will vacate the belt and is an indication that the Irishman’s fighter mindset is not ready to defend his crown.