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OOn Thursday afternoon, Conor McGregor broke into the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, and wreaked havoc. The Irishman snuck into the building with the intention of confronting Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was to play the vacant UFC lightweight title this weekend. McGregor, accompanied by an entourage, entered the building's parking lot and began to vandalize a busload of fighters before throwing a cart through one of the windows. Several fighters were hospitalized and removed from their planned fights. The entire scene was captured on video, immortalizing one of the most embarrassing moments in the history of the UFC.
McGregor then went to the New York Police and was charged with assault and criminal mischief (the prosecutors subsequently abandoned both crimes and related charges as a result of an agreement advocacy).
McGregor's actions this week have had a lasting impact. The light weight of UFC Michael Chiesa was lacerated after the cart was broken by the window, while his fellow UFC fighter, Ray Borg, was injured in plain sight by bursts of glass. Both men were hospitalized and removed from their respective battles. Others, including UFC strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas, have been shaken by the experience. Even UFC President Dana White – who knows the Irish in the big doors and pay-per-view figures – seems disgusted with McGregor's actions.
"Do you want to be in business with Conor McGregor now?" Said White during an impromptu scrum as a result of the incident. "Do you want to sue this guy for interviews and buy his fights? Do you? I do not think anyone will want to do it now. I think everyone will be very disgusted with Conor McGregor right now.
The bus incident earned McGregor a considerable amount of negative publicity. However, outrage around the fray has faded over the coming months, particularly after McGregor struck a plea deal in July and pleaded guilty to only one violation of disorderly conduct.
For their part, and despite White's previous bluster, the UFC chose to take no action against McGregor. Instead, they have now re-used the entire incident to help promote perhaps the biggest fights in the history of the UFC.
At a press conference held on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the UFC in early August, Mr White announced that Nurmagomedov would fight McGregor at the beginning of August. UFC 229 in Las Vegas. The announcement took place less than a month after the Irish concluded its plea agreement. She was crowned by a promotional video using images of the bus attack.
To be fair, Nurmagomedov-McGregor is a dream fight for UFC fans, a fight that many did not expect. McGregor's cheeky style and extravagant personality contrast with Nurmagomedov's moderate behavior and intimidating presence, which only adds depth to an already compelling contest. It is also a fight that, according to White, should break the previous record of payment in the UFC session.
It should be noted that McGregor has featured four of the five most profitable UFC pay-per-view events. In the absence of McGregor over the last two years, the UFC has failed to recreate these numbers and has fought for the PPV. The only exception to this rule is UFC 207, with the return of Ronda Rousey, who has since gone on to WWE. Given these numbers, it's clear why UFC jumped on another McGregor fight.
Although Nurmagomedov-McGregor is a financial boon to the UFC, it remains a risky venture. The Irishman and his entourage have already caused considerable damage during the Barclays Center incident. A handful of these men may be present with McGregor this time, and considering that Nurmagomedov is also walking with a large team known to intimidate and confront the fighters, the preparation of the PPV can be explosive.
McGregor has also spent the last few weeks stirring up religious and ethnic tensions. He has published social media images with captions referring to "chilling in Jahannam" (the Arabic word for hell) – Nurmagomedov is Muslim. He also published a photo of one of Nurmagomedov's training partners, the Chechen fighter Zubaira Tukhugov, with the caption: "A real Chechen would never receive the orders of a Dagestan man." Nurmagomedov is from Dagestan.
Given the complicated statements that McGregor has incorporated into his promotion into combat, the disdain between the teams of fighters and their respective fans will be palpable Saturday night. According to a source close to the event, the UFC is taking steps to ensure that the appropriate security levels are in place for the event. Although the content of this operation remains unclear, it will probably imply an increased presence of the police on the ground, which could possibly limit clashes between supporters.
The potential fights are far from the only security problem that faces the main event of UFC 229. At a press conference to promote the fight, McGregor has attempted to play thinking games with Nurmagomedov by referring to some of the shady characters associated with the UFC champion. In particular, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov invited Nurmagomedov to organize seminars in his combat club in 2016. McGregor called Kadyrov a "crazy dictator" and these comments were not welcomed in Chechnya, where Kadyrov reigns supreme. . Iron fist. One of the fighters who represents Kadyrov's fighting club posted a video warning McGregor that he "will answer for his words" before asking for a public apology. This statement was followed by an official statement by the Chechen Minister of Press and Information, which questioned McGregor's mental health before calling him "scandalous clown" who behaves like a "Mexican rooster".
While the intimidation tactics used by Kadyrov and his henchmen have been well documented over the years, few people expected him to target one of the athletes the following day. more recognizable from the planet. Although Kadyrov did not personally comment on McGregor or the upcoming UFC 229 event, the statements made by the dictator's spokespersons should be enough to make the Irishman's safety a threat.
The UFC's decision to put McGregor on the agenda for this weekend's big protest underlines the desire of the promotion to give up the punishment for profit. But what is perhaps even more important, is that their decision to pursue the main event despite the threats directed against McGregor and the growing tension between the Irish and Russian teams shows the UFC is ready to play risks in high-risk situations to reap the benefits.
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