C. McGregor posted a photo smiling (Photo: Reproduction Instagram thenotoriousmma)
A few days after the confusion he caused when he invaded the Bellator cage, last Friday (10), Conor McGregor issued a statement apologizing for his actions. The UFC champion was excited by his friend Charlie Ward's victory over John Redmond and climbed the railing to hug him, causing widespread confusion. The Irishman also argued with referee Marc Goddard, in addition to slapping a steward who was trying to organize the mess that ensued after his invasion.
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Despite apologizing for what he did, the Irishman refused to extend his apology to Marc Goddard and harshly criticized the referee's performance, saying that he put Redmond's health at risk by not considering the fight to be finished immediately.
This isn't the first time McGregor and Goddard have clashed. At UFC Poland, in October, the Irishman gave instructions to his friend Artem Lobov, during the fight with André Fili, when the English referee momentarily interrupted the fight to ask local security to remove the Ultimate champion from the side of the octagon, as he was acting as a member of Lobov's corner, without being registered as such.
See the full release:
“I sincerely apologize for my behavior last weekend at the Dublin fight event. While trying to support a loyal training partner and friend, I let my emotions get the best of me and stepped out of line. As a multi-division UFC champion, executive producer, model and public figure, I need to control myself in the spotlight.
Referee Marc Gonard was making a horrible decision when he tried to catch an unconscious fighter on the ground and force him to continue fighting in the second round. Even against the request of that fighter's trainer. The fight was over.
After witnessing my fighter in a fight where the worst happened and the opponent passed away due to injuries that night, I thought the worst would happen again, so I lost my temper and reacted. I apologize to everyone.
I sincerely apologize to the director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation (MTDAR), Mike Mazzulli, all the officials and staff who worked on the event, Andy Ryan and his fighter John, two warriors who always put on a great fight. That side will always have my respect and, lastly, my fans. I love you all!
I always learn from my mistakes and this time will be no different.”
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