THE PUNISHMENT HANDED down to Conor McGregor for his involvement in a press conference fracas in August isn’t as severe as was first reported.
That’s according to Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Bob Bennett, who was present at last Monday’s NSAC disciplinary hearing.
Water bottles and energy drink cans were thrown by both camps at a pre-fight media event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas ahead of McGregor’s UFC 202 victory over Nate Diaz, whose hearing is likely to take place next month.
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Initial reports from McGregor’s hearing suggested that the UFC featherweight champion had been sanctioned with 50 hours of community service and a financial penalty of $150,000, which would equate to 5% of his disclosed purse for the fight. The Dubliner also committed to contributing to an anti-bullying public service campaign.
However, speaking to MMAFighting.com’s Marc Raimondi over the weekend, Bennett explained that McGregor will only need to pay a fine of $75,000. The other $75,000 represents the estimated value of his contribution to the public service initiative. Bennett said:
It appears the media and others got it wrong.”
Even UFC president Dana White appeared to be under the impression that McGregor was being forced to cough up the larger amount, labelling a $150,000 fine “insane” during an interview last week on FOX Sports.
McGregor has also been critical of the punishment. The 28-year-old told Rolling Stone that he subsequently won’t fight in Nevada again “for the foreseeable future” and suggested that he might not be willing to pay the fine: “Good luck trying to get it.”
However, it seems likely that McGregor’s advisors will instruct him to avoid such a dispute with the Nevada Commission lest it have a detrimental impact on his application for a licence to compete from the New York State Athletic Commission. McGregor is due to fight Eddie Alvarez for the UFC lightweight title in New York on 12 November.
“I understand that he’s upset,” Bennett said. “I understand that he commands a phenomenal following and paydays and he’s a world-renowned champ. I get that he’s frustrated — $75,000 is a lot of money. But I think the remark is inappropriate.
“In fairness to Conor — and I say this with the utmost respect — I just don’t think he understands how the system works when he’s fined.”
$150,000? McGregor was only fined half that, Nevada Commission insist
THE PUNISHMENT HANDED down to Conor McGregor for his involvement in a press conference fracas in August isn’t as severe as was first reported.
That’s according to Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Bob Bennett, who was present at last Monday’s NSAC disciplinary hearing.
Water bottles and energy drink cans were thrown by both camps at a pre-fight media event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas ahead of McGregor’s UFC 202 victory over Nate Diaz, whose hearing is likely to take place next month.
Initial reports from McGregor’s hearing suggested that the UFC featherweight champion had been sanctioned with 50 hours of community service and a financial penalty of $150,000, which would equate to 5% of his disclosed purse for the fight. The Dubliner also committed to contributing to an anti-bullying public service campaign.
However, speaking to MMAFighting.com’s Marc Raimondi over the weekend, Bennett explained that McGregor will only need to pay a fine of $75,000. The other $75,000 represents the estimated value of his contribution to the public service initiative. Bennett said:
Even UFC president Dana White appeared to be under the impression that McGregor was being forced to cough up the larger amount, labelling a $150,000 fine “insane” during an interview last week on FOX Sports.
McGregor has also been critical of the punishment. The 28-year-old told Rolling Stone that he subsequently won’t fight in Nevada again “for the foreseeable future” and suggested that he might not be willing to pay the fine: “Good luck trying to get it.”
However, it seems likely that McGregor’s advisors will instruct him to avoid such a dispute with the Nevada Commission lest it have a detrimental impact on his application for a licence to compete from the New York State Athletic Commission. McGregor is due to fight Eddie Alvarez for the UFC lightweight title in New York on 12 November.
“I understand that he’s upset,” Bennett said. “I understand that he commands a phenomenal following and paydays and he’s a world-renowned champ. I get that he’s frustrated — $75,000 is a lot of money. But I think the remark is inappropriate.
“In fairness to Conor — and I say this with the utmost respect — I just don’t think he understands how the system works when he’s fined.”
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