UFC President Dana White described Thursday’s events as the “most disgusting thing that's ever happened in the history of this company”.
Conor McGregor is in custody in New York after turning himself into police following
an incident at the UFC 223 media day at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Thursday.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed on Thursday night that ‘The Notorious’ was in custody after he presented himself at the 78
th Precinct police station in Brooklyn following unsavoury scenes that had taken place at the event earlier in the day.
McGregor has not been charged but is to be questioned over possible assault and criminal mischief and he is expected to see a judge at 7am local time (12pm GMT) on Friday.
On Thursday afternoon, McGregor and his sizeable entourage managed to sneak their way into the Barclays Center and
attacked a bus which was carrying several fighters back to their hotel after the UFC 223 media day.
McGregor was filmed attempting to throw several objects through the windows of the bus in an incident which has ruled fighters Michael Chiesa (lightweight) and Ray Borg (flyweight) out of this weekend’s event due to injury.
Commenting on the incident, UFC President
Dana White called it “the most disgusting thing that's happened in the history of the company”.
“You can imagine that he's going to be sued beyond belief and this was a really bad career move for him,” White added.
The UFC released a statement on the incident on Thursday, which read: “During today’s media event at Barclays Center to promote UFC 223: Khabib vs. Holloway, Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov entered the building accompanied by over a dozen individuals.
“The group, which included McGregor and Lobov, vandalised the vehicle that contained a number of athletes competing at the event taking place this weekend. NYPD was immediately alerted and is currently in the process of investigating the situation.
“UFC is working very closely with the New York Athletic Commission, Barclays Center security and law enforcement authorities. All parties are working together to ensure the highest standard of proper safety precautions are implemented to protect the fans and athletes.
“The organisation deems today’s disruption completely unacceptable and is currently working on the consequences that will follow. Immediately, Lobov has been removed from this weekend’s card and individuals involved in the incident are not welcome at tomorrow’s ceremonial weigh-in or Saturday’s event at Barclays Center.”
In a further update on the event this weekend, the UFC confirmed that three fights had been cancelled on Saturday night’s card, two due to injuries caused by the incident and one due to Artem Lobov’s role in it.
“Thursday afternoon, following the UFC 223 media day at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, an incident in the facility injured two athletes on Saturday's card, forcing them to be pulled from the event,” the update read.
“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.
“Flyweight Ray Borg, who was scheduled to face Brandon Moreno, was deemed unfit to fight as well due to multiple corneal abrasions.
“Also removed from the card was the featherweight bout between Artem Lobov and Alex Caceres due to Lobov's involvement in the incident.
“UFC 223 will proceed as scheduled with 10 bouts. Moving to the Pay-Per-View main card is the featherweight bout between Zabit Magomedsharipov and Kyle Bochniak.”
