Nov 29th, 2017

Nov 29th, 2017

UFC champion Conor McGregor may have bitten more than he can chew after reportedly getting into a bar room brawl with the wrong people.

According to sources in Ireland and the UK, McGregor got into a pub fight with Irish mafia figures who are seeking retribution.

McGregor allegedly assaulted a man linked to a lieutenant of the Irish gang Kinahan, Graham “The Wig” Whelan. The gangster is apparently one of the most feared criminals in Ireland and was a key figure involved in clashes that saw a number lives claimed at the turn of the century.

The Irishman decided to spend the night at Crumlin’s Black Forge Inn and threw several punches after a dispute with a group of men.

The UFC lightweight champion is alleged to have struck a member of the group before an associate of Whelan’s jumped in and was punched twice by McGregor. He then reportedly punched a third man before security had to escort him out of the pub and into a car.

Irish police said they aren’t investigating because “there is no report on this matter and no complaint from any injured parties, patrons of the pub or the pub itself and no statements were taken,” according to an Irish police spokesman.

Word of the fight reached UFC president Dana White but the MMA boss said he hadn’t received any information regarding the brawl.

“I don’t think it’s true,” White said. “Because if it was true, it would be big. Conor can walk down the street and it’s big news now. If this were true, I just have to believe it would be off-the-charts crazy. If it’s true, we’ll end up finding out. I can’t chase all these things around. If it’s true, we’ll get it figured out and we’ll go from there.”

Irish media reported that a “well known Irish celebrity assaulted a close associate of a senior Kinahan cartel henchman” — but did not mention the 29-year-old mixed martial artist.

McGregor did post to Instagram with a subtle message following the headlines, suggesting he was involved in the brawl. The post was captioned as “The celebrity”.

Another twist in the tale has emerged with unconfirmed reports claiming Whelan has demanded McGregor make a payment of $1.4 million for slugging one of his men or else he’ll have the professional fighter shot.

The rumours are unsubstantiated, but a fight website by the name of craziestsportsfights.com, claims to have uncovered an audio recording from someone with knowledge of the situation.

According to the source the altercation at the pub stemmed from an earlier incident where a close friend of McGregor was targeted in an attack but the website admits the audio recording is unverified.

“The first girl, Meghan Whelan, so her brother is Graham Whelan out of Crumlin. Also known as The Wig,” the audio clip claims.

“He’s major, so that’s not going to end well for him (McGregor). He went into the pub and he was trying to get at Ryan Burne (another Whelan associate). Ryan Burne is who he gave the digs (punches) at.

“So Meghan Whelan’s dad was in the way, and he ended up getting a boxing to the head as well and he (McGregor) was smashing Ryan Burne up. Ryan Burne’s only a little skinny **** from Crumlin, but he hangs out with Pat and Paulo Timmins.

“Now a couple of weeks ago, he (McGregor) smashed the two of them up because the Timmins’ sent people up to Andy Murray’s house. Now Andy Murray (not the tennis player) is also another heavy but I don’t know why Conor’s even getting involved in any of it, to be honest.

“They send people up to Andy’s house, and there was a bit of trouble up at Andy’s house so I’d say he’s only gone up there to say… ‘What’re you doing sending people up to my mate’s house?’ and smashed them up. But yeah, your man Ryan hangs around with them fellas, so I think he was just guilty by association, and that’s why he got the digs (punches).

“But the fact is that Whelan’s awfully big in the hits (assassinations). It’s all going to kick off, so buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

The latest news suggests McGregor’s career in the Octagon is off the rails.

UFC boss White said he’s currently in negotiations with the Irishman for a new deal but admits McGregor may never fight again.

The UFC star reportedly earned in excess of $100 million to fight Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match in August and hasn’t fought in the UFC for 13 months.

“Listen, Conor might never fight again,” he said

“He made $100 [expletive] million. I’ve got guys who made less than that who are lawyers and went to school their whole lives and quit working. When you go to school your whole life to be a lawyer, and you’re a good lawyer, and you make a few bucks and you’re done? The guy’s sitting home every day watching cartoons or whatever he’s doing. I don’t know.

“[Ex-UFC matchmaker] Joe Silva doesn’t work anymore. These guys make money and that’s it. Fighting is the worst. Fighting is the worst. Try to get up and get punched in the face every day when you have $100 million in the bank. Money changes everything with a lot of people.”