IF DANA WHITE is to be believed, Conor McGregor has had his last fight in Las Vegas.
According to the UFC president, McGregor is unhappy with the $150,000 fine handed down to him by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Monday as a result of his role in a fracas at a press conference prior to his victory over Nate Diaz in August.
In addition to the substantial financial sanction — which equates to 5% of McGregor’s record-breaking $3million purse for the fight — the UFC featherweight champion will also be required to carry out 50 hours of community service.
The sum is expected to be distributed evenly between the state’s general fund and an anti-bullying campaign. However, the severity of the punishment has been widely criticised in the MMA community.
White was asked about McGregor’s punishment this evening during an appearance on The Herd on FOX Sports. The UFC boss said McGregor subsequently no longer wishes to compete in the state of Nevada:
“Conor McGregor hit me up yesterday and said, ‘I don’t ever want to fight in Nevada again. Ever.’
“Now how does that make sense for the state of Nevada? You’re going to try to fine this kid, and Nate, that much money. It just makes people not want to come and fight in our state. That’s not a good thing.
“And guess what? Conor McGregor doesn’t need Nevada. He can fight anywhere. He could fight in Iowa. He could fight in Iowa, okay? We could put his fight on an island off the coast of anywhere. It just makes no sense for the state. It’s just terrible.”
Five of McGregor’s last six bouts have taken place in Las Vegas, Nevada, but his next assignment is a lightweight title bout against defending champion Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in New York on Saturday, 12 November.
Nate Diaz’s hearing for the same incident will take place at a later date after he received a continuance from the NSAC.
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