Conor McGregor in plea negotiations, still facing 12 charges
UFC’s biggest draw is still in limbo regarding the legal ramifications over an April 3 melee at Barclays Center.
Following Thursday’s court appearance, Conor McGregor’s criminal case remains unresolved, according to ESPN.
The incident in question took place at a media event for UFC 223.
The fracas was sparked by an alleged dispute between undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and McGregor’s teammate, Artem Lobov.
In what can only be described as a fit of blind rage, McGregor crashed the media event for UFC 223 and went ballistic.
Notably, McGregor hurled a hand truck at a bus with several fighters inside. The injuries sustained from the fight played a part in three fights being scrapped from the UFC 223 card at the last minute.
UFC lightweight Michael Chiesa was pulled from a fight due to facial lacerations. Flyweight Ray Borg was also pulled after suffering what was described as corneal abrasions.
McGregor is facing 12 charges that include two charges of misdemeanor assault and a charge for felony criminal mischief.
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and McGregor’s legal team both said negotiations are ongoing regarding a potential plea deal.
McGregor’s next court date is set for July 26.
Despite his brash and oftentimes unapologetic attitude, McGregor seemed contrite while addressing the media after Thursday’s court apperance.
“I regret my actions that led to today,” McGregor told reporters. “I understand the seriousness of this matter and I am hopeful this will get worked out.”
McGregor’s status in UFC was already in flux before the legal issues. He last fought in the octagon in November 2016. After that, he participated in the highly publicized crossover fight with boxing star Floyd Mayweather Jr., which McGregor lost.
The Dublin native actually had his lightweight championship stripped due to inactivity, a decision which did not sit well with McGregor.
For that matter, UFC president Dana White was justifiably furious with McGregor’s actions at Barclays. White lost some marquee matches during a relative down time for UFC.
The UFC president described McGregor’s actions as “the most disgusting thing that has ever happened” in the organization’s history.
Currently, there are still a handful of potential big money UFC fights waiting for McGregor. Chief among them is a bout with Nurmagomedov.
“To be honest, I don’t want him to go to jail,” Nurmagomedov told mmafighting.com when McGregor’s Barclays fiasco first went public. “We have to fight. If we have to fight, let’s fight. Send me location. Please, we have to fix this. Me and you. One-on-one. You want 10-on-10? OK.”
McGregor’s camp, meanwhile, is solely focused on his current legal predicament.
“Today we were here to focus on the court. We’re not going to focus on any future plans until we handle this matter,” Audie Attar, McGregor’s agent, told ESPN. “Right now we’re in negotiations with the district attorney. We’ll focus on that and focus on the future later.”
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