McGregor pleads guilty, no felony conviction or jail time
Brooklyn DA: “This is a fair resolution that holds the defendant accountable, ensures restitution for the victims and requires the defendant to perform community service where he can reflect on his conduct and give back to society.”
Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor ‘Dolly’ McGregor, and his teammate Cian Cowley have pled guilty today in Brooklyn, NY court to disorderly conduct. The fighters avoided a felony conviction, and jail time.
McGregor was directed to:
•Five days of community service;
•One to three days of anger management;
•Make restitution for the bus attack that left two UFC fighter injured to the point they were unable to fight that Saturday at UFC 223; and,
•Stay away from the three people hurt in the attack, who include fighters Ray Borg and Michael Chiesa.
Critically, there are no travel restrictions on McGregor, so he can resume his career. A felony conviction could have jeopardized his ability to enter the USA, the most lucrative market for combat sports. McGregor reportedly has already paid for the damage to the bus.
McGregor’s teammate Cowley was given a similar sentence, with three days, rather than five, of community service.
I just want to say I’m thankful to the DA and the judge for allowing me to move forward, said McGregor outside the court. I want to say to my friends, my family, my fans, thank you for the support.
McGregor was initially charged with multiple offenses including two felonies for the attack on a fighter bus with a hand truck. The attack was a response to now lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov having words with McGregor’s teammate Artem Lobov several days prior. McGregor’s actions served only to amuse ‘The Eagle’.
This is a fair resolution that holds the defendant accountable, ensures restitution for the victims and requires the defendant to perform community service where he can reflect on his conduct and give back to society,” explained the Brooklyn DA’s office.
As McGregor is not a licensed athlete in New York where the attack took place, the NAC does not play a role.
UFC president Dana White initially characterized the attack as the most disgusting thing that has ever happened in the history of the company. He has since tempered the remarks, and said he will allow the case to play out in court before deciding what punishment to mete out. It may be that the punishment McGregor faces is seeing the viral videos of the attack used in marketing to make all involved more money in a showdown with Nurmagomedov.
I want to say thank you to the court, said McGregor’s manager Audie Attar in a statement. Now that this has passed us, we can focus on things that have been on hold for some time. Conor’s been training, he’s in shape, he’s ready to go. So now it’s just about getting back to business, and we hope to have some news to announce very soon.