Many fans were likely upset to hear that McGregor was scheduled to return to the Octagon for the UFC 219 card on December 30 but was pulled from the event due to his antics at Bellator 187 event.
This news came from ABC president Mike Mazzulli told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that the UFC was taking Conor McGregor off the UFC 219 card, due to of McGregor’s reckless behavior at Bellator 187 last Friday.
Mazzulli, is also the Mohegan Sun Department of Athletic Regulation director, also lead regulator for the Bellator card. UFC officials have already taken action against McGregor.
Regardless of all, McGregor’s agent, Audie Attar, told MMA Fighting, what ABC president Mazzulli said is not true. Attar didn’t say more about whether or not Mcgregor was ever planned to fight at December 30th card.
As per MMA Fighting, McGregor was never officially scheduled to fight at UFC 219 event.
Mazzulli further added, there is no excuse as Mcgregor shouldn’t be inside the octagon and shove the referee Goddard and then slap a Bellator official.
“There’s a zero tolerance for that,” Mazzulli said. “That’s why I said when you are a professional at that level, you have to handle yourself as a professional. There’s a lot of people that are looking up to you and respecting you as an individual, as a fighter. Don’t get me wrong, Conor McGregor is a great, great fighter. I’ve watched every single fight of his and that’s what I do, this is my job. But when it comes to what he did to Mr. Goddard and [Bellator employee] Michael Johnson, what would possess somebody to do that? Like I said, if it was at Mohegan, I guarantee you that the Mohegan Tribe Police Department would be removing Mr. Conor. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
ABC president said Mcgregor is not bigger than MMA; he is not sure what the commissions in New York or Nevada will do.
“Mr. McGregor is not bigger than MMA,” Mazzulli added. “We all know that. Mr. McGregor may not be around in five years, but MMA will still be. I think that is very important to understand, that fighter safety is the most important thing in the world. Because without fighter safety, this sport would not proceed to the next level like it always has.”
Recently Notorious issues an apology for his actions at Bellator event. Perhaps it was a good idea, to not get a severe punishment.
