Just one day after he confirmed that Conor McGregor will fight in the UFC again in 2018, Dana White told reporters the lightweight champion was responsible for one of the most embarrassing incidents in the organization’s history.
McGregor and his entourage stormed the Barclays Center after a UFC 223 media event on Thursday. They were seen attacking and vandalizing a bus carrying some fighters outside the arena, and UFC lightweight contender Michael Chiesa was left bloodied after objects were thrown through the windows of the bus.
After the incident, White said a warrant had been issued for McGregor’s arrest and hinted that the Irishman could be done with the UFC.
Dana White said warrant is out for Conor McGregor’s arrest. His plane can’t leave New York.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 5, 2018
Was just with Dana White. Called it the most despicable thing in UFC history. I asked him if he wants to be in business with Conor McGregor anymore, he said, would you?
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 5, 2018
It’s unclear exactly what preceded the chaos, but it is believed McGregor was at the event to support SBG Ireland teammate Artem Lobov. Lobov got into a heated confrontation with Khabib Nurmagomedov — who is scheduled to have a title fight against Max Holloway at UFC 223 — at the fighters’ hotel earlier in the week. Chiesa’s coach, Rick Little, told MMAJunkie.com that McGregor and his crew were looking for Khabib.
“Conor went bananas and put a beating on the van that we were in looking for Khabib,” Little said. “A million security guards had to restrain him. Mike’s cut up now. He’s got marks on him, for sure. I don’t think too serious. Everything happened so fast, it was just like we got jumped.”
Videos on social media appeared to show McGregor and others throwing objects at the bus. Below you can see a video taken from by spectator and another taken by someone inside the bus. Beware that they contain inappropriate language.
Conor McGregor is making his presence felt here in NYC. Felice Herrig just posted this clip of him on IG going a little wild. pic.twitter.com/arvUJF1pV2
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) April 5, 2018
@TheNotoriousMMA is about that life pic.twitter.com/kLRbMVzSzk
— joshua. (@jrsvx) April 5, 2018
White said Lobov has been pulled from his scheduled fight against Alex Caceres at UFC 223.
Dana White confirmed Michael Chiesa suffered an injury, cuts to the face, and is in the hospital. Artem Lobov has been pulled from UFC 223, per White, as he was apparently part of the crew that stormed the building.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) April 5, 2018
McGregor is known for being reckless and getting himself mixed up with the wrong people, and you may recall the reports about him being wanted by the Irish cartel at one point. However, Thursday’s mayhem went well beyond basic fighter beef and into felony territory. It would be a surprise if McGregor isn’t charged, and it will be tough to imagine White letting him fight in the UFC again.
