In hindsight it seems that, when Conor McGregor stepped before the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) on October 10th, 2016, the NAC was looking to make an example of him. Just a couple months earlier, at an August press conference in the lead up to UFC 202, McGregor got into a bit of a fracas with team Nate Diaz.
As the 209 exited the presser words were exchanged, and then gestures, and then flying objects. While being bombarded himself, McGregor picked up several cans and bottles from the presser stage and hurled them into the crowd in the direction of Diaz and his crew. No one was seriously injured... Well, no one other than McGregor’s pocketbook.
The NAC hit McGregor with a $75,000 fine for his role in the brouhaha - along with a planned PSA, which they valued at an additional $75,000. That’s more than Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier had to pay, combined, for actually fighting each other at a press conference. And while McGregor initially said he’d throw himself on the mercy of the court and accept whatever punishment they decided on. He seems to be balking in the face of the eventual reality.
In a recent press release, the NAC revealed that McGregor has filed a request for his disciplinary hearing to be re-examined at the upcoming NAC meeting on March 22. Apparently, McGregor met with commissioners Bob Bennett and Anthony Marnell in person to make the request.
And for their part, it appears the NAC has accepted.
“Today, mixed martial artist Conor McGregor met with Nevada State Athletic Commission Chairman Anthony A. Marnell III and Executive Director Bob Bennett,” the NAC stated, “regarding a possible rehearing of McGregor’s prior order arising out of his conduct during a UFC 202 press conference on August 17, 2016. After a very cordial and productive meeting with McGregor, Chairman Marnell agreed to place the request for rehearing on the agenda of the Commission’s March 22, 2017 meeting. During the hearing on McGregor’s request, Chairman Marnell and Executive Director Bennett will recommend that the Commission grants a rehearing on the prior order.”
Currently, McGregor is on something of a minor hiatus from active competition as he and his longtime partner await the birth of their first child. He’s also currently awaiting the fallout from a lightweight top contenders’ fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. The bout will crown an interim lightweight champion and the next contender for McGregor’s belt. No word yet on when exactly fans can expect McGregor back in the cage.