The Nevada Athletic Commission received a nice chunk of change by fining Conor McGregor earlier this week, but it may have cost the state much more in future UFC gates.
Regardless of the cause, the sanction apparently didn’t sit well with the “Notorious” Irishman.
“Conor McGregor hit me yesterday and said, ‘I don’t ever want to fight in Nevada again. Ever,’” UFC President Dana White said during an appearance on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd on Wednesday. “Now how does that make sense for the state of Nevada? You’re gonna try to fine this kid -- and Nate [Diaz] -- that much money, it just makes people not wanna come fight in our state. And that’s not a good thing.”
Because of his fine by the NSAC, Dana White says Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) doesn't want to fight in Nevada again. pic.twitter.com/OIqWYtC0US
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 12, 2016
McGregor was punished for throwing water bottles and a Monster energy drink can at Diaz and his team in the middle of a pre-fight press conference on Aug. 17. An MGM Grand security guard was reportedly injured as both sides threw objects at each other. McGregor apologized for his actions during an NAC hearing on Monday.
However, it is ulikely that McGregor, who has headlined four of the top five MMA gates in the state’s history, will be taking his talents to Sin City again anytime soon. The UFC featherweight champion is currently booked to face 155-pound king Eddie Alvarez in the UFC 205 main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.
“Conor McGregor doesn’t need Nevada. He can fight anywhere,” White said. “He can fight in Iowa. We can put his fight on an island off the coast of anywhere. It just makes no sense for the state. It’s just terrible.”