Tuesday 14 November 2017 20:31, UK
Conor McGregor has apologised after being involved in an angry altercation with a referee at an MMA event in Dublin at the weekend.
The two-weight UFC champion was cage-side 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 octagon to celebrate with him.
Referee Marc Goddard took exception to McGregor's actions and ordered him out of the octagon, 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.
The Dubliner, who was beaten by Floyd Mayweather in a multi-million pound boxing match in August, vowed to learn from his mistakes when posting the apology on his social media accounts.
"I sincerely apologise for my behaviour at last weekends [sic] fight event in Dublin. While trying to support a loyal teammate and friend, I let my emotions get the best of me and acted out of line," wrote McGregor, who has not fought in the UFC since stopping Eddie Alvarez to capture the 155lb crown in November last year.
"As a multiple weight UFC champion, executive producer, role model and public figure, I must hold myself to a higher standard. The referee Marc Godard was making a horrendous decision in trying to pick an unconscious fighter up off the floor and force the fight to continue into the second round. Even against the wishes of the said fighters [sic] coach. The fight was over.
"After witnessing my fighter in a fight where the worst happened and the opponent passed away from his injuries on the night, I thought the worst was about to happen again, and I lost it and overreacted. I am sorry to everyone."
