After a series of plot twists befitting a Broadway theatre, the UFC had hoped to finally bring clarity to its chaotic lightweight division with Saturday's UFC 223 fight card in Brooklyn, but it will be overshadowed by the one man not on it - Conor McGregor.

The Irish fighter gate-crashed a media day on Thursday and caused chaos in the venue's loading bay that saw several fighters injured before later surrendering in to the police.

Fighters Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg have been pulled from the card by the New York State Athletic Commission after sustaining injuries, and McGregor's team mate Artem Lobov was kicked off the card for his part in the chaos. Things were then to get even worse, as late replacement Max Holloway failed to make weight, scuppering his title fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Show all 13 1 /13 Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Conor McGregor's most controversial moments The Irish superstar is no stranger to controversy. Here are twelve occasions in which he generated headlines for all the wrong reasons. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Conor McGregor's most controversial moments 'F*** the Queen' McGregor came in for criticism from some quarters for wearing a poppy at a UFC event back in 2015. “I know where my allegiance lies and what I do for my country,” was his firebrand response. “You have a pint in your hand and a Celtic jersey on in your local. F*** you and the Queen.” Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Nazi row One of the first serious controversies in McGregor’s career. “Kiss them feet, Nazi,” he tweeted German fighter Dennis Siver. His apology also came in for criticism: “Ich bin bin sowwy. Now about them feet…” he wrote. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Insulting Aldo “I own this town, I own Rio de Janeiro,” McGregor told Brazilian fighter Jose Aldo, in a series of heavily criticised comments. “In previous times I would invade his favela on horseback and would kill anyone who wasn’t fit to work, but we’re in a new time, so I’ll whoop his ass instead.” Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Conor McGregor's most controversial moments UFC 200 no show McGregor decided he did not have the time to fulfil his press duties ahead of UFC 200, and his scheduled rematch with Nate Diaz. UFC president Dana White was unimpressed with his no-show at a press conference and decided to pull him from the card. McGregor and Diaz would eventually meet at UFC 202, with the Irishman taking a points decision. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Bottles ahoy McGregor has been in trouble for throwing things before. Ahead of UFC 202 he became involved in a heated altercation with the Diaz brothers, which culminated in him hurling full cans of energy drink across a press conference. He was subsequently fined $25k by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and handed 25-hours community service. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Racism allegations There were a number of controversial moments during the Mayweather vs McGregor world press tour, with the UFC champion accused of racism on more than one ocassion. He attracted criticism for telling Mayweather to “dance for me, boy!” before later reasoning he was not a racist because “I’m black from the bellybutton down.” Getty Images Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Showtime spat Showtime Spots executive Stephen Espinoza was less than impressed when McGregor turned his ire to him during the Mayweather vs McGregor world tour. “While we’re at it, f*ck Showtime too,” McGregor shouted at Espinoza in Toronto. “Look at you, you little f*cking weasel, I can see it in your eyes, you’re a f*cking bitch. Cut my mic off? Cut the champ’s mic off? Hell no. You f*cking weasel.” Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Bellator brawl After his team-mate Charlie Ward defeated John Redmond at a Bellator event in Dublin, McGregor vaulted into the cage and began arguing with respected referee Marc Goddard. McGregor pushed Goddard and threatened an official, before eventually apologising. “I’ve always learned from my mistakes, and this will be no different,” he said. Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Homophobia allegations The Irishman was heavily criticised when television cameras overheard him referring to Andre Fili as a “f****” after the American beat his training partner Artem Lobov at UFC Gdansk. “I’m human; I slip up, I say stupid things every damn day,” McGregor later apologised. “All I can (do) is hold my hand up and apologise if anyone was offended.” Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Darkest day A warrant for McGregor’s arrest was issued after the Irishman was caught on video smashing the window of a bus full of fighters with a sack trolley. Two fighters were injured in the incident, with McGregor eventually handing himself in to the police. He was eventually sentenced to three days of anger management courses and five days community service. Conor McGregor's most controversial moments UFC ban He was banned from the UFC for six months and fined $50k for brawling with the camp of Khabib after his world title loss. Getty Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Latest shame On Monday, McGregor was arrested in Miami Beach for allegedly destroying and stealing the mobile phone of a man who was attempting to take his photograph. Miami Beach PD

Ever since the 29-year-old McGregor made history by becoming the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneously, the UFC has struggled to get its hugely popular 'bad boy' to follow the rules.

By the time Russia's Nurmagomedov faces off across the Octagon in Brooklyn against a second late rep, 511 days will have passed since McGregor won the title from Eddie Alvarez across the bridge at the Madison Square Garden in Manhattan in November 2016.

However, he was quickly stripped of the featherweight title and has never defended his lightweight crown.

Instead, he took up professional boxing and fought Floyd Mayweather for a huge payday, with American Tony Ferguson stepping in and winning the interim lightweight belt by submitting Kevin Lee.

Ferguson was originally supposed to face Nurmagomedov in a much-anticipated but ill-fated match that had to be cancelled for a fourth time when Ferguson suffer a freak knee injury last week.

(AP)

This paved the way for reigning featherweight champ Holloway to step up and try to secure a second belt in a heavier division, thus emulating McGregor.

With his ability to smother opponents with his powerful wrestling, Nurmagomedov is now the promotion's rising star, but he will have to be wary of Holloway's superb striking which has him on a 12-fight win streak.

Also down for decision on Saturday is a women's strawweight title rematch between American champ Rose Namajunas and Poland's Joanna Jedrzejczyk, whom she knocked out in stunning fashion in the first round to win the belt in November last year.

However, anyone expecting to grab any of the limelight from McGregor is mistaken.

McGregor was never going to surrender the limelight (Getty)

Emboldened by his money from the Mayweather fight, he has become a law unto himself, but his latest misstep has tested the patience of UFC president Dana White, who has excused plenty of bad behaviour in the past.

The winner of the main event between Nurmagomedov and Holloway was expected to face McGregor in what could have been an epic comeback fight.