UFC 223: Three fights scrapped following Brooklyn bus rampage
- Published
Chiesa and Borg injured, and Lobov removed from card, as Conor McGregor due in court
The fallout from the shocking scenes at the Barclays Center yesterday continued with news that UFC 223 has lost three bouts following Conor McGregor’s alleged attack on a UFC bus.
McGregor is said to be one of a large group that stormed a UFC bus set to transport the red corner fighters back to the host hotel following Thursday’s UFC media day.
The attack left the bus badly damaged, and caused injuries to three fighters set for action, with lightweight Michael Chiesa suffering cuts to his forehead, and flyweight Ray Borg injured as a result of shards of glass flying into his eye.
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It means Chiesa’s scheduled bout with former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis is now off, as well as the flyweight bout between Borg and Brandon Moreno.
In addition, the featherweight bout between Alex Careres and McGregor’s teammate, Artem Lobov, has also been removed from the card following Lobov’s expulsion from the event for his alleged part in the incident.
McGregor has since been charged for three charges of misdemeanour assault and one charge of felony criminal mischief. He is expected to appear in a Brooklyn court to face a judge later today. McGregor’s teammate, Cian Cowley, was arrested along with McGregor, and charged with one count of assault and one count of criminal mischief.
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Following the turbulent events of the past 24 hours, the UFC issued the following statement:
“During today’s media event at Barclays Center to promote ‘UFC 223: Khabib vs. Holloway,’ Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov entered the building accompanied by over a dozen individuals.
“The group, which included McGregor and Lobov, vandalised the vehicle that contained a number of athletes competing at the event taking place this weekend.
“NYPD was immediately alerted and is currently in the process of investigating the situation. UFC is working very closely with the New York Athletic Commission, Barclays Center security, and law enforcement authorities. All parties are working together to ensure the highest standard of proper safety precautions are implemented to protect the fans and athletes.
“The organisation deems today’s disruption completely unacceptable and is currently working on the consequences that will follow. Immediately, Lobov has been removed from this weekend’s card, and individuals involved in the incident are not welcome at tomorrow’s ceremonial weigh-in or Saturday’s event at Barclays Center.”
Now UFC officials will have their fingers crossed that the remaining fighters have no issues on the scale as they prepare for the official early-morning weigh-ins ahead of Saturday night’s fights.
The UFC 223 fight card now features 10 bouts, with the two world title clashes at the top of the card still intact.
Main Card
Max Holloway vs Khabib Nurmagomedov (UFC lightweight title)
Rose Namajunas vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk (UFC women’s strawweight title)
Calvin Kattar vs Renato Moicano (featherweight)
Zabit Magomedsharipov vs Kyle Bochniak (featherweight)
Paul Felder vs Al Iaquinta (lightweight)
Preliminary Card
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Felice Herrig (women’s strawweight)
Joe Lauzon vs Chris Greutzemacher (lightweight)
Bec Rawlings vs Ashlee Evans-Smith (women’s flyweight)
Evan Dunham vs Olivier Aubin-Mercier (lightweight)
UFC Fight Pass Prelim
Devin Clark vs Mike Rodriguez (light-heavyweight)
MORE UFC 223 NEWS:
Further drama in Brooklyn as Max Holloway is OUT of Saturday's fight
