Saturday 11 November 2017 19:44, UK
Referee Marc Goddard has spoken out about his altercation with Conor McGregor at a MMA event in Dublin.
The UFC lightweight champion McGregor burst into the cage at the Bellator 187 event at the 3Arena on Friday night to watch his team-mate Charlie Ward take on John Redmond.
Moments after Ward had produced a first-round knockout to beat Redmond, McGregor leapt into the cage to celebrate with him.
Referee Goddard took exception to McGregor's actions and ordered him out, sparking a melee by pushing him away.
That angered McGregor and the Irishman retaliated, running after Goddard and shouting and pointing at him before he was escorted out of the cage.
McGregor, who was beaten by Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match in August, has not fought in the UFC since stopping Eddie Alvarez to capture the 155lb crown in November last year.
Goddard wrote on Twitter: "I operate with integrity, belief and values. I hold MMA in a deep-rooted place in my life and have considered myself most fortunate to have done so for so long.
"Family first. Everything else second. Respect."
