Is Conor McGregor bigger than MMA?

Following two altercations at Bellator 187 the Notorious Conor McGregor would normally be subject to penalties, sanctions and punishment but given his significance and friendship within the world of MMA how likely is that to occur?

The 28-year-old Irishman has long been viewed as a marmite figure to the wider sporting majority, some love him, some hate him; but his status as one of world’s top athletes is undoubted.

McGregor is under contract with UFC (image: UFC)

During a recent Bellator bout, the dual UFC champion entered the Octagon to celebrate with team-mate Charlie Ward following a first-round win but the celebration quickly turned sour.

As McGregor was an unlicensed ‘corner-man’ and in no way affiliated to Bellator medical staff, he was forbidden from entering but that did not stop him and when referee Marc Goddard ordered him to leave, the Irishman became aggressive.

Security quickly intervened but not before ‘Mac’ pushed the official who rocked backwards nearly tumbling onto Ward’s defeated opponent John Redmond, but the carnage did not end there.

Despite being ushered out of the octagon, The Notorious One could be heard shouting “I am sick of you. That was a f*****g stoppage.”

While things were already in carnage, McGregor attempted once again to enter the cage, this time by climbing over it, as a Bellator official Mike Johnson halted his efforts, he was greeted by a swinging fist – something that may result in prosecution.

Despite the serious allegations that may be presented to the young fighter, his reputation as a loudmouth and crazy character may stand against him when a decision is made, but depending on the outcome, the question of whether McGregor is bigger than the sport of MMA, has finally been asked.

Few can doubt the 28-year-olds significance to contracted company UFC as his second bout with Nate Diaz earned him the highest buy rate in their history at 1.6m; with the Irish fighter also holding four of the top five spots, with a total of 5.4m views so far, and while this feat alone is impressive, his accomplishments away from the sport may only further his power within the company.

McGregor is a high profile athlete across two sports (image: boxingnewsonline)

The Mac secured a lucrative deal outside of MMA to fight Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather earlier this year with the fight a current United Kingdom buy-rate record, highlighting just how important McGregor is not just to Dana White and co. but to the world of sport also.

As one of the most in-demand athletes alive, it is an unusual phenomenon to have one star able to command such a high profile in two sports, with no word as of yet on the next phase in his career.

This raises the question of whether UFC is bigger than McGregor? With the athlete currently under contract by the fighting company if he was able to come away unscathed following such serious and technically illegal actions, it may not be long until The Notorious One is renamed The Untouchable One.

Following the incident(s), Bellator have released a statement: “We’re aware of the in-cage altercation involving Conor McGregor and a Bellator staff member.

“Viacom and Bellator hold the safety and well-being of our staff in the highest regard and we’re currently reviewing the situation.”

McGregor was previously fined by the Nevada State Athletics Commission for hurling a water bottle and energy drink towards Diaz during a pre-fight press conference ahead of their UFC 202 clash in 2016.

The NSAC originally presented a punishment of a fine of $150,000 and 50-hours community service but this was settled earlier this year to be $25,000 and 5 hours of service within six-months instead.

Conor's friend and coach John Kavanagh is president of the IMMAA (image: BJPENN.com)

What may be a tricky situation now is that as the event took place in Dublin, Ireland, jurisdiction regarding punishment will likely fall down onto the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association (IMMAA) a governing body of the sport recognised by Sport Ireland.

However, President of the organization is none other than John Kavanagh, coach of McGregor – could this be another case of having friends in high places, or will the 40-year-old look at what is right for the dignity of the sport and punishment who deserves to be punished; colleague, or not?