Conor McGregor Breaks Silence On Bellator Incident, How UFC Reportedly Disciplined McGregor, More
- Last week we reported on Conor McGregor's altercation with referee Marc Goddard at Bellator 187. After McGregor's teammate Charlie Ward finished John Redmond in the first round, McGregor jumped the cage fence immediately to celebrate with him. Goddard asked McGregor to leave the cage, as he wasn't a licensed cornerman. McGregor ran after Goddard and pushed him, and he also got physical with the athletics commission officials, in the video that can be seen above. McGregor posted an apology on Instagram admitting that he acted out of line but still admonishing Goddard for what he believed to be a terrible decision when he was helping Redmond to his feet.
I sincerely apologize for my behavior at last weekends fight event in Dublin. While trying to support a loyal teammate and friend, I let my emotions get the best of me and acted out of line. As a multiple weight UFC champion, executive producer, role model and public figure, I must hold myself to a higher standard.
The referee Marc Godard was making a horrendous decision in trying to pick an unconscious fighter up off the floor and force the fight to continue into the second round. Even against the wishes of the said fighters coach. The fight was over.
After witnessing my fighter in a fight where the worst happened and the opponent passed away from his injuries on the night, I thought the worst was about to happen again, and I lost it and over reacted. I am sorry to everyone.
I sincerely apologize to the Director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, Mike Mazzulli, all the officials and staff working the event, Andy Ryan and his fighter John, two stonch ones that put up a great fight every time. That side will always have my respect, and lastly every one of my fans. I love yous all!
I've always learned from my mistakes and this will be no different.
- Marc Goddard finally broke his silence on the situation, posting a lengthy Facebook post explaining his side of the story. Goddard said he had not officially called a stop to the fight when McGregor jumped the cage. He also denied McGregor's accusation that he was attempting to make Redmond stand up, saying, I then notified all concerned and we could conclude the bout officially and satisfactorily. At no point did I attempt to 'pick up an unconscious fighter' [he was not unconscious] and of course would never 'force the fight to continue.'" You can read the lengthy post in its entirety by clicking here.
- Last week, Mike Mazzulli, the president of the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) and the director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, released a statement on the McGregor incident saying that any discipline or sanctions would have to come from a commission that licenses McGregor or from the UFC itself. On Monday's edition of The MMA Hour, Mazzulli claimed the UFC had disciplined McGregor by taking him off the UFC 219 card on Dec. 30.
"They already sanctioned him," Mazzulli said, according to MMA Fighting. "So they did hit him. He's not gonna be making any more money this year and I commend UFC for that. I really do."
But McGregor was never officially announced for UFC 219, and his agent Audie Attar refuted Mazzulli's assertion and told MMA Fighting it was "not true." The UFC has yet to comment on the McGregor incident, so it is not known if it actually did have an affect on the year-end card.