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Since Conor McGregor was found guilty of sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a hotel penthouse in 2018, the UFC superstar has faced significant backlash, affecting him in numerous ways.
First of all, McGregor is now embroiled in legal and professional turmoil, following a ruling for nearly $260,000 in civil damages against him. And now, he also has to face hard consequences in his business ventures:
- He was dropped from Hitman 3, where he had voiced the character "The Disruptor," a target of protagonist Agent 47.
- He lost his partnership with Proper No. 12, the Irish whiskey brand he co-founded and turned into a global success.
- He has been disowned by many MMA gyms following his sexual assault conviction.
Will He Be Removed from the UFC?
Undoubtedly, these events are harming his status, legacy, and personal life. But does this mean McGregor will be barred from competing in the UFC?
Other fighters have been convicted of serious crimes in the past and were able to return to fighting once they had served their punishments. Jon Jones, for example, faced multiple DUI cases and continued his UFC career. However, no fighter with a criminal record as McGregor's has returned to the octagon or even been released from prison, leaving his fighting future uncertain.
While some situations differ from McGregor's, they indicate that the UFC has a lenient approach to such matters. Currently, the organization has no explicit rule banning fighters with criminal convictions, though it could introduce such regulations in the future.
According to The Daily Mail, a source close to the matter revealed:
"Conor's UFC career is currently on ice but not completely dead in the water. He is still a draw, and Dana White and the UFC would consider him for a future show. However, with the stigma of the charges, they are keeping their distance for now."
Ultimately, the decision lies with UFC President Dana White. Given White's history and McGregor's marketability, it seems likely he will eventually welcome McGregor back to the octagon. Even if McGregor serves time in prison, a return to the UFC could generate massive financial interest.
"Conor is in some hot water, but he will be able to come back eventually once the dust clears. It will just take longer than originally expected," the source also said
For now, McGregor must confront the consequences of his past actions, work on improving himself, and rebuild his life.