This all sounds a bit chaotic.
Conor McGregor has taken to social media this morning to apologise to hardcore fans who were left disappointed after paying €35 to meet the UFC star at an event in Dublin last night.
The build-up to McGregor’s featherweight title fight against Jose Aldo in Las Vegas on December 12 has began in earnest this week as the Irish hero toured venues here as part of Takeover 2015.
Last night’s event at the Wright Venue in Swords was due to include a Q+A session with The Notorious and a meet and greet with those who paid for VIP passes, but they were left disappointed after it emerged McGregor, fellow fighters Cathal Pendred, Gunni Nelson and Artem Lobov, and coach John Kavanagh had left without stopping by.
In addition, a second event planned for the Wright Venue has now been postponed until after McGregor’s title fight at UFC 194.
McGregor fan Aisling Riordan got in touch with SportsJOE with details of her evening:
@SportsJOEdotie no reporting on the fact that fans who bought VIP tickets 4 this were left waiting and never got to meet Conor as promised??
— Aisling Riordan (@AislingRiordan1) October 20, 2015
@SportsJOEdotie 37 euro for VIP, nobody could tell me where the VIP section was. Fighters were 2 hrs late starting the Q and A session
— Aisling Riordan (@AislingRiordan1) October 20, 2015
@SportsJOEdotie it lasted 45 mins and we then waited 1hr 15 mins to be told all fighters left at 10 pm (it was 20 past when we were told) — Aisling Riordan (@AislingRiordan1) October 20, 2015
@SportsJOEdotie the ticket bough promised a meet and greet. And people without meet and greet got photos ans autographs with McGregor! — Aisling Riordan (@AislingRiordan1) October 20, 2015
@D_BagmanMUFC @SportsJOEdotie I have travelled to Vegas twice and not met him as well as entered a comp with UFC/The Sun to meet him and
— Aisling Riordan (@AislingRiordan1) October 20, 2015
@D_BagmanMUFC @SportsJOEdotie that never happened, then paid to meet him this time and that also didnt happen! So dont think it cud be worse — Aisling Riordan (@AislingRiordan1) October 20, 2015
There were plenty of other angry complaints on social media, leading event organisers to commit to refund unsatisfied customers.
@AislingRiordan1 We are sorry for any confusion & are willing to issue you a refund. Please email thetakeoverevent2015@gmail.com for details — The Takeover 2015 (@takeover_2015) October 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/JohnMoyno/status/656282727289901056
1hr Q outside.
1.5hr wait inside.
40min Q&A
Another hr Q to be told McGregor/SBG had left.
Explain @takeover_2015 please.
Disappointed.— MMAEcho (@MMAEcho) October 19, 2015
McGregor has stepped up to the plate, however, and apologised for missing the VIP fans out, adding that he had done all he could to make sure as many people as possible that wanted an autograph or picture got their opportunity.
