MIXED MARTIAL ARTS fighter Conor McGregor has reached a plea deal regarding charges against him of criminal mischief, misdemeanor assault and menacing and reckless endangerment after he and his associates were filmed storming a UFC event in New York city.
The 30-year-old appeared before Brooklyn Criminal Court today on charges relating to that incident which happened in April.
The fighter has had all felony charges dismissed after entering a plea of disorderly conduct. He will have to serve five days of community service, and take anger management classes.
Outside court in the wake of the ruling, McGregor thanked his family and friends for their support over the duration of the case.
“I just want to say I’m thankful to the DA (district attorney) and the judge for allowing me to move forward,” a visibly relieved McGregor told reporters outside the court.
I want to say to my friends, my family, my fans — thank you for the support.
“Now it’s about getting back to business,” his manager, Audie Attar, said.
Video footage from the incident appeared to show McGregor throwing a hand cart at a bus full of fighters after a news conference at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Two UFC fighters were injured in the incident.
It emerged in court today that McGregor had paid for the repair of the bus.
The former two-weight UFC champion faced up to seven years in prison if convicted on all counts, but was not expected to receive the maximum sentence.
Speaking following his last court appearance in June, McGregor said: “I regret my actions … I understand the seriousness of this matter and I’m hopeful that it gets resolved soon.”
Earlier this year he was stripped of his UFC lightweight title for being inactive. The Dublin man has not fought in the UFC since knocking out Eddie Alvarez in November 2016.
In August 2017, McGregor was beaten by Floyd Mayweather in a cross-discipline, one-off boxing match which saw Mayweather come out of retirement.
With reporting by Cianan Brennan and © AFP 2018
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