New York (AFP) – Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor left a rival with facial injuries on Thursday after attacking a shuttle bus carrying fighters from an Ultimate Fighting Championship media event in New York, reports said.
Video of the incident clearly showed McGregor hurling a dolly through a side window of the bus as it moved slowly in a car park at the Barclays Center in New York.
UFC President Dana White said fighter Michael Chiesa, who was on the bus, had been hospitalised following the incident and was being treated for cuts to the face.
New York police had issued a warrant for the arrest of McGregor, White added, accusing the Irish superstar and a group of around 20 men of “storming the building.”
“They got down to the loading docks where the fighters were getting on the buses and attacked them, throwing trash cans, dollies, things like that,” White said. “Broke one of the windows, cut Michael Chiesa real bad, cut his hand, cut his face.
“Everyone’s shaken up. This is the most disgusting thing that has ever happened in the history of the company.
“There is a warrant out for Conor McGregor’s arrest. They’re looking for him right now. His plane cannot take off, he can’t leave the state of New York. I’m assuming eventually he’ll turn himself in.”
White said McGregor, who reportedly pocketed around $100 million for his superfight against boxer Floyd Mayweather last August, would likely face legal action over the incident.
“As you can imagine he’s going to be sued beyond belief,” White said. “This was a real bad career move for him.”
It was not clear what triggered McGregor’s assault but it appeared to be linked to the UFC’s decision to strip him of his world title.
The 29-year-old reportedly turned up unannounced at the end of Thursday’s press event to publicise the upcoming UFC 223 card.
On Wednesday, White said the UFC would strip McGregor of his lightweight title, which would be awarded to the winner of Saturday’s fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Max Holloway in New York.
“No interim champ. When this fight is over, champion,” White said.
McGregor reacted angrily to the decision on social media. “You’s’ll strip me of nothing …” McGregor ranted.
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