Conor McGregor arrest - LIVE: UFC star filmed in handcuffs leaving police station after assault charge in New York
The Irishman has been charged with three counts of assault and one of criminal mischief
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Conor McGregor is set to appear in court after being charged with three counts of assault following a violent incident in New York on Thursday evening.
The former two-weight champion, who was stripped of his lightweight championship title this week, gatecrashed a media event ahead of this Saturday’s UFC 223 where he was filmed picking up railing before attempting to throw it at the coach.
A warrant was issued for his arrest with the Irishman handing himself into authorities at around 9pm local time on Thursday and will now see a judge on Friday.
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Conor McGregor has been charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief following a violent altercation at UFC 223's media day in New York.
A warrant was out for the Irishman's following the incident where he and a group of men are alleged to have vandalised a bus containing rival fighters before he handed himself in to police at 9pm local time on Thursday.
He is due to appear in front of a judge at 7am (12pm BST) according to New York Police.
Here's the very latest so far with McGregor set to appear in court later today.
Here's the latest from a NYPD spokesman:
“McGregor has been charged with three counts of assault and one of criminal mischief."
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Here's what we know so happened so far...
The former two-weight champion, who was stripped of his lightweight championship title this week, gatecrashed a media event ahead of this Saturday’s UFC 223 where he was filmed picking up railing before attempting to throw it at the coach.
The vehicle was carrying Khabib Nurmagomedov, McGregor’s long-term rival, and other UFC fighters back to their hotel after a media day at the Barclays Centre. Lightweight Michael Chiesa allegedly suffered a cut to his forehead during the fracas as attempts were made to restrain McGregor.
Chiesa’s coach Rick Little told MMA Junkie: “Conor went bananas and put a beating on the van that we were in looking for Khabib. A million security guards had to restrain him. Mike’s cut up now. He’s got marks on him, for sure. I don’t think it’s too serious. Everything happened so fast, it was just like we were jumped.”
UFC 223 withdrawals:
Following the incident three fighters have withdrawn from Saturday's event.
Chiesa, who received "several facial cuts", tweeted to say the New York State Athletic Commission had decided to pull him from his bout against Anthony Pettis.
Addressing his opponent, he said: "I'm devastated to say the least. Showtimepettis I hope to run this match up ASAP, June 9th in your backyard. That's all I have to say for now. Much love."
UFC later released a statement, confirming Chiesa's injuries, and also said flyweight Ray Borg would not be taking part in his fight against Brandon Moreno due to "multiple cornea abrasions".
"Lightweight Michael Chiesa, who received several facial cuts, was deemed unfit to fight by the New York State Athletic Commission and the UFC medical team, and he was removed from his bout against Anthony Pettis," it said.
"Flyweight Ray Borg, who was scheduled to face Brandon Moreno, was deemed unfit to fight as well due to multiple cornea abrasions."
Artem Lobov, who was due to take part in a featherweight bout with Alex Caceres, was also removed from the card due to his "involvement in the incident", UFC said.
What Dana White said:
“What happened today was criminal, disgusting and makes me sick,” he said in the immediate aftermath. “There is a warrant out for McGregor’s arrest. They’re looking for him right now and his plane is grounded. I assume if they don’t catch him he will turn himself in. He’s going to be sued beyond belief and this is a very bad career move for him.”
And if you're the slightest bit confused as to why Conor McGregor decided to do this, then Luke Brown has everything you need to know about his rivalry with Khabib, why he attacked the bus, where it leaves his career, Dana White and the UFC.
Some of McGregor's most controversial moments:
'F*** the Queen'
McGregor came in for criticism from some quarters for wearing a poppy at a UFC event back in 2015. “I know where my allegiance lies and what I do for my country,” was his firebrand response. “You have a pint in your hand and a Celtic jersey on in your local. F*** you and the Queen.”
Some of McGregor's most controversial moments:
Nazi row
One of the first serious controversies in McGregor’s career. “Kiss them feet, Nazi,” he tweeted German fighter Dennis Siver. His apology also came in for criticism: “Ich bin bin sowwy. Now about them feet…” he wrote.
Some of McGregor's most controversial moments:
Insulting Aldo
“I own this town, I own Rio de Janeiro,” McGregor told Brazilian fighter Jose Aldo, in a series of heavily criticised comments. “In previous times I would invade his favela on horseback and would kill anyone who wasn’t fit to work, but we’re in a new time, so I’ll whoop his ass instead.”
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