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UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor. Presseye/Matt Mackey/INPHO
Think Floyd

Reduction in Nevada punishment could pave the way for McGregor to box in Vegas

The UFC lightweight champion had been fined $75,000 and given 50 hours of community service last October.

CONOR McGREGOR TODAY had his punishment of $75,000 and 50 hours of community service significantly reduced by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The decision was taken by the NSAC at a re-hearing of McGregor’s case relating to a bottle-throwing fracas last August at a press conference at the MGM Grand, before the Dubliner’s rematch against Nate Diaz.

McGregor’s punishment, which was originally handed down after a hearing in October, has now been reduced to $25,000 and 25 hours of community service, which can be carried out in Dublin or Las Vegas.

“[McGregor] took full responsibility for his inappropriate behavior when he was on the telephone last time [in October],” said NSAC executive director Bob Bennett, who noted that Nevada’s initial ruling was misguided.

“The line was a little broken, but he apologised profusely, not only to the commission, to the fans, to everybody who had observed that activity, and just said: ‘Hey, look, I made a mistake, I apologise, I’m asking for your forgiveness’.

“And I would respectfully remind you that there was no settlement agreement in place. We didn’t have any conversations with Mr McGregor or his attorney as to, ‘Well, this could happen, he may get fined, he may get suspended’.

“No, he just came forward and said: ‘Hey, look, I was out of line, I really apologise, I wish I hadn’t done it’. And in essence, he placed the outcome in the hands of the commission, which I thought was very honorable of him.”

The development comes as McGregor appears to be moving closer to agreeing a boxing match in Las Vegas with Floyd Mayweather, which would generate big business for the state of Nevada. Once McGregor pays his fine, he’ll then be in a position to look for a boxing licence to compete in the ring under the NSAC’s jurisdiction.

NSAC chairman Anthony Marnell told Heidi Fang of the Las Vegas Review Journal that the commission would “probably” approve Conor McGregor’s application for a boxing licence.

Nate Diaz, who was fined $50,000 and given 50 hours of community service, can now also pursue a re-hearing.

H/T: MMAFighting.com

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