It doesn’t matter that it’s not his promotion — UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor still brought chaos to Bellator’s Dublin card today.
Perhaps impulsively and almost certainly unwisely, Conor McGregor got into the cage today in Dublin, Ireland. Not in the UFC cage, mind you, and not against any legally scheduled opponent. Instead, McGregor jumped into the Bellator cage following a bout featuring SBG Ireland teammate Charlie Ward. There, he sparked an altercation with referee Marc Goddard. The incident started with a shove from McGregor that was caught on camera by those in attendance.
👀 McGregor pushes Goddard… pic.twitter.com/OOPBs6C3KW #Bellator187 #McGregor #MMA
— McDuckMMA (@McDuckMMA) November 10, 2017
McGregor had initially got into the cage to celebrate with Ward after the fight. However, once setting his eyes on ref Goddard, who was apparently trying to separate him from Ward, the ‘Notorious’ saw red. Goddard had banished McGregor from cageside back at UFC Gdansk in Poland just a few weeks back after McGregor caused something of a stir during the Artem Lobov vs. Andre Fili fight. Lobov, of course, is another teammate of McGregor. Based on today’s occurrence, it appears McGregor has not forgotten the incident, or Goddard.
Conor McGregor confronting Marc Goddard, presumably over what happened at #UFCGdansk. Absolute chaos here! #Bellator187 #BAMMA32 #BAMMADublin pic.twitter.com/wyJOlkukpY
— Joe Hodge (@HodgeSAFC) November 10, 2017
Security then entered the cage to break up the ruckus. Ultimately, it will be interesting to see what disciplinary action comes of the incident, especially given McGregor was not a licensed cornerman for the bout.
Madness in Dublin thanks to @TheNotoriousMMA!!! DO NOT miss #Bellator187 TONIGHT on @spike 9/8c pic.twitter.com/BGWcOBDvFb
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 10, 2017
Update, 3:45 PM EST:
Another video has surfaced showing McGregor slapping a commissioner who orders him to get off the cage.
Bellator 187 airs tonight on Spike TV in North America, with a main event featuring A.J. McKee and and Brian Moore.