That’s an interesting comparison.
There’s been a deluge of analysis and commentary on Conor McGregor following his already infamous attack on a bus carrying UFC fighters at the Barclays Center in New York.
McGregor was released on bail of $50,000 after he was charged with assault, menacing and reckless endangerment following an incident in which the Dubliner shattered a window of a coach transporting fighters from the UFC 223 media day.
However, of all the comments on McGregor, none have been as striking or peculiar as those made by New York State Athletic Commission executive director Kim Sumbler, who compared the fighter to murderous cult leader Charles Manson.
“(McGregor) would have to apply for a license first,” Sumbler told MMAJunkie.
“I can’t speculate. It’s like asking me if Charles Manson got released from jail, what would you do? I’m not presented with that case yet. I have too many other things to think about.”
While McGregor certainly acted recklessly, it seems laughable to mention him in the same breath as the late cult leader, who in 1971 was convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of seven people. Manson died in November 2017, having served 45 years of a life sentence at California State Prison.
Discussing whether McGregor will be able to fight in New York again, Sumbler was much more rational.
“We would have to work on the circumstances then,” Sumbler said. “Right now I can’t tell you. We know he’s been charged, we obviously saw the video. Nothing’s been ‘proven.’ I can’t speculate on how we’re going to treat that situation in the future until I’m presented with the facts at the time.”
While McGregor’s future remains undetermined, Dana White appeared to suggest that bridges are being mended after revealing that he spoke to the former lightweight champion before UFC 223.
“We talked yesterday,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “It’s good. I think there’s a mutual respect between us. I had so many things thrown at me this week, to focus on this show was insane. We’ll get back and we’ll focus on Conor McGregor.”
