Conor McGregor hasn’t competed in MMA for almost two years, hasn’t actually signed a contract for his next UFC fight, but he became MMA’s story of the month thanks to his actions during UFC 223 fight week.
Just two days out from fight night, McGregor was caught on camera throwing a dolly at one of the fighters’ buses, in supposed retaliation for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s confrontation with his good friend Artem Lobov. Multiple fights were cancelled, as Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg both suffered facial injuries, and McGregor has since been charged with multiple counts of assault.
After initially calling it the most disgusting thing that’s ever happened in the UFC, Dana White has seemingly cooled off, setting off the usual discussion about McGregor getting preferential treatment because of his status as the sport’s biggest star.
UFC analyst Joe Rogan had a few words to say on his podcast about the double standards, including the infamous lifetime ban imposed on Paul Daley for the attempted sucker punch of Josh Koscheck back in 2010. (Transcriptions via MMA Fighting)
“He just keeps f—king up with this kind of stuff and no one’s saying, ‘Get rid of him!’” said Rogan. “He’s worth so much money. It’s really fascinating. Imagine if Ray Borg and him switched sides. If Ray Borg showed up with all his boys and was screaming and yelling and threw a dolly at the window, it’s a done deal forever. Think about Paul Daley. Paul Daley must be at home going, ‘Motherf—ker! F—k Dana White!’
“Until you get to that stratosphere that Conor McGregor – there’s so much money to be made, that’s the problem. The rules get bent. All Paul Daley did was throw a punch at Josh Koscheck after [fight was over]. It didn’t even connect! That could have been sorted out.”
McGregor’s next scheduled court appearance is June 14th in New York City. If there’s one thing that Rogan does believe, it’s that New York’s Athletic Commission won’t be willing to ever license McGregor to compete in the Empire State again.
“I don’t think New York is ever letting that motherf**ker fight there again,” said Rogan. “I just don’t think they’re gonna do that. They don’t play games. That athletic commission is a different commission. They’re new to MMA and that was embarrassing to them. Him throwing the f—king dolly and the fact that they let him get in there with all his boys, the whole thing was just so thuggish.”
One thing that McGregor can no longer officially claim is his status as UFC lightweight champion. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s win over Al Iaquinta made him the new king of 155, and there’s still expectation that a McGregor return would inevitably involve a highly anticipated showdown with “The Eagle” for the belt.
If not, then I guess there’s always another go-round with Floyd Mayweather in the cards. (I kid, I kid… I think?)
About the author
