Conor McGregor has been put on the defensive after disturbing allegations regarding an assault during a birthday celebration recently came to light. The accusations detail a horrifying series of events that, if proven true, could compromise McGregor’s professional future.
The incident allegedly occurred off the coast of Ibiza in July of 2022. According to the report, McGregor’s mood worsened to the point where he began verbally, then physically assaulting his accuser. In a panic, she claimed she leapt from McGregor’s yacht, fearful of her life, and was rescued by a Red Cross boat.
The unnamed victim said in her statement to Irish police that “It was as if he was possessed. I knew that I had to get off the boat because I thought that he was going to kill me. … We have mutual friends and I have met him numerous times. I can’t believe what he did to me. He is a criminal. I think he would have killed me if I hadn’t got off the yacht.”
It is one of a myriad of legal issues the former two-division UFC champion now has. McGregor’s explosive behavior outside of the ring has seen him escalate matters to where he’s been accused of serious crimes that could potentially end his career.
With that being said, McGregor is still on track to return to the octagon later this year.
Conor McGregor’s coach alludes to an imminent return
McGregor has been out of competition since a TKO loss to rival Dustin Porier at UFC 264. Since then, McGregor has taken time to recover from the gruesome leg injury he suffered from the fight with hopes he would face Poirier again.
Trainer John Kavanaugh said on the MMA Hour that he believes McGregor is on track for a late 2023 return.
“I was actually just chatting with him yesterday or the day before and then [his manager] Audie [Attar] was in town. Yeah, I think there’s some interesting negotiations going along now. I absolutely can’t say anything beyond that, but I’m very, very confident that we’ll see Conor back in the octagon this year.”
The 35-year-old McGregor will next be seen alongside Jake Gyllenhall in a remake of the 1989 action film Road House, where he sports a massively huge physique. Many believe McGregor’s new look will make it impossible for him to return to lightweight for fights with Poirer, Justin Gaethje, or Michael Chandler.
Some would doubt that he’d pass a USADA testing panel when he resumes his fighting career.
Either way, McGregor will have plenty of eyes on him when he returns. What will be interesting is if this is the last we’ll hear of the troubled champion’s exploits outside the cage before he does.
