Conor McGregor has been charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief following an alleged 'retaliation' rampage at a UFC press event in Brooklyn.
The 29-year-old, who became the first UFC fighter to hold two world titles simultaneously, turned himself in to police yesterday evening.
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It has now been alleged that McGregor flew from Ireland to NYC after Khabib Nurmagomedov reportedly cornered his friend, Artem Lobov, asking: "Where's Conor?"
After arriving in the city, the fighter was filmed trying to throw a railing at a bus carrying a bunch of rival MMA fighters which left them 'shaken'.
MMA Fighting journalist, Ariel Helwani, tweeted: "As for why this happened today, I'm told from multiple sources with knowledge that the motive was "retaliation" after Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team confronted Artem Lobov, one of Conor McGregor's teammates and best friends, earlier this week."
In the hours following the incident, Nurmagomedov goaded McGregor.
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The MMA Fighting website reported him as saying: "I am laughing inside. You broke window? Why? Come inside. You know UFC don't let you come inside. If you real gangster why don't you come inside?
"This is big history gangster place. Brooklyn. You want to talk to me? Send me location. We have to talk? I am gonna come, no problem.
"I grew up like this. I don't grow up throwing chairs at window. This is not my bus."
The BBC reports that McGregor has been charged with three counts of assault and criminal mischief by New York City Police Department (NYPD) following the incident.
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An UFC spokesperson said: "The organisation deems today's disruption completely unacceptable and is currently working on the consequences that will follow.
"UFC is working very closely with the New York Athletic Commission, Barclays Center security and law enforcement authorities."
Some are describing the actions of McGregor as 'loyal' after it's alleged Khabib cornered his friend asking "where's Conor?" - leading to McGregor flying from Ireland to the US on his private jet.
Fighters had gathered at the sports centre ahead of this weekend's UFC 223, which was being headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Max Holloway. Interestingly, those are the two fighters who will be battling for the Lightweight Belt, the title that McGregor was stripped of earlier yesterday.
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UFC President, Dana White, told a press conference: "The only one that's losing a belt here is Conor. Conor is losing the belt. These two are fighting for the belt.
"The interim these two were supposed to fight for, fight doesn't happen, now one of these guys will be the champion. Tony is still the number one contender."
McGregor responded on Twitter, saying: "You'll strip me of nothing you's do nothing c**ts."
The Irishman was reportedly with fighter Artem Lobov when they allegedly attacked a bus of other fighters.
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Lobov was due to battle with Alex Caceres at UFC 223 in the featherweight division but he's been removed because of his alleged involvement in McGregor's melee.
During the altercation, Michael Chiesa suffered several facial cuts and Ray Borg copped for an eye injury and as a result they've been withdrawn from tomorrow's drawcard.
Speaking to ESPN, Dana White said: "Do you want to be in business with Conor McGregor right now? Do you want to chase this guy around for interviews and buy his fights? Do you? I don't think anybody is going to want to right now.
"No, I think everybody's going to be pretty disgusted with Conor McGregor right now.
"I don't know if he's on drugs or what his deal is. But to come and do this and act like this... You're talking about a guy who has a baby. He just had a kid. This is how you're acting? You have a son at home."
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