The Nevada Athletic Commission on Monday fined Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight titleholder Conor McGregor $150,000 and hit him with an additional penalty of 50 hours of community service as a result of a bottle-throwing incident at a pre-fight press conference for UFC 202. The Nevada attorney general had asked for a $25,000 fine and 25 hours of community service.
McGregor was penalized by the commission for throwing water bottles and a Monster energy drink can at Diaz during a pre-fight press conference in Las Vegas on Aug. 17. An MGM Grand Garden Arena security guard was reportedly injured during the incident in which the Irishman and Diaz fired objects at another with a crowd of onlookers stuck between them.
McGregor, who will challenge Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight championship on Nov. 12 in New York, avoided a suspension. He apologized for his actions by phone.
“I acted wrong,” he said. “All I can say is I’m sorry. My emotions got the best of me.”
McGregor defeated Diaz by majority decision at UFC 202, evening their head-to-head series at 1-1. Diaz saw his request for a continuance on a hearing to address his actions granted. The Nevada Athletic Commission will convene again on Nov. 10, where cases involving Diaz, Brock Lesnar and Jon Jones are expected to be heard.