Irish UFC champion Conor McGregor has been charged with assault in New York.

He is due to appear in court later on Friday, US police said.

McGregor was detained following an incident at a UFC media day in Brooklyn on Thursday. The 29-year-old had earlier been stripped of his UFC lightweight title.

A New York Police Department spokesman said: "He (McGregor) has been charged with three counts of assault and one of criminal mischief."

He added that 25-year-old Cian Cowley, also a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, from Hyde Park, Dalkey, has been charged with assault.

McGregor has not fought in the UFC for more than a year but lost to former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather in a money-spinning bout last August.

He has been a flamboyant presence on the sporting scene and divided opinion in Ireland and further afield.

The incident happened at the Barclays Centre in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

People had gathered to promote a competition headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Max Holloway.

The UFC added: "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 Centre 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." </s> Irish Mixed Martial Arts superstar Conor McGregor was charged with assault and criminal mischief by New York police on Friday, then led out in handcuffs and driven to court.

The 29-year-old fighter was escorted from the Brooklyn police station in jeans, white sneakers and a tight-fitting blue top, before being driven off in the back of a black sedan for his arraignment at a criminal court, also in Brooklyn.

The star was caught on video Thursday hurling a dolly through a side window of a bus loaded with rival mixed martial arts fighters who were attending a New York media event at the Barclays Center. The bus was moving slowly through the stadium parking lot when the incident occurred.

Police confirmed that McGregor has been charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief, and that Cian Cowley, 25, another MMA fighter, has been charged with one count of assault and one count of criminal mischief.

Cowley was also to appear before court in Brooklyn on Friday.

Fighter Michael Chiesa, who was on the bus, was taken to hospital following Thursday's incident and was being treated for cuts to the face, Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White said.

"A decision was made by the New York State Athletic Commission to pull me from UFC 223. I'm devastated to say the least," Chiesa later tweeted.

White said police issued a warrant for the arrest of McGregor, accusing the Irish star and a group of around 20 men of "storming the building."

"They got down to the loading docks where the fighters were getting on the buses and attacked them, throwing trash cans, dollies, things like that," White said. "Broke one of the windows, cut Michael Chiesa real bad, cut his hand, cut his face."

White called it "the most disgusting thing that has ever happened in the history of the company," and said "everyone's shaken up."

White warned that McGregor would face likely legal action.

"As you can imagine he's going to be sued beyond belief," White said. "This was a real bad career move for him."

The Irishman reportedly pocketed around $100 million for the superfight which he lost last August in Las Vegas against ex-welterweight champion boxer Floyd Mayweather.

Their matchup was one of the richest boxing bouts of all time.

It was not clear what triggered Thursday's alleged assault but it appeared to be linked in part to the UFC's decision to strip McGregor of his world title.

McGregor reportedly turned up unannounced at the end of Thursday's press event to publicize the upcoming UFC 223 card.

On Wednesday, White said the UFC would take back McGregor's lightweight title, which would be awarded to the winner of Saturday's UFC 223 fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Max Holloway in New York.

McGregor reacted angrily to the decision on social media. "You's'll strip me of nothing," he tweeted, invoking an expletive. </s> NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor appeared in a New York City courtroom on Friday on charges of assault stemming from a melee following a press event for a series of UFC fights to be staged at a Brooklyn arena.

The sport’s best-known athlete and an international star, McGregor, 29, was dressed in a blue, long-sleeved golf shirt that hid his elaborate tattoos as he was escorted from the police station where he surrendered the previous night.

He is charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief following the fracas at Brooklyn’s Barclay Center on Thursday evening.

A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, appears to show the Irish-born McGregor and his entourage using a metal barricade and other objects to smash windows on a bus filled with fighters departing from the event.

Efforts to reach McGregor’s representatives were not successful. </s> Conor McGregor is once again a free man… for now. The handcuffed Irishman made an appearance at Kings County Criminal Court today, facing three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief due to his run-in with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s bus yesterday at the Barclays Center. He was joined by his SBG teammate Cian Cowley, who also was up on charges.

Both men were ordered to avoid any contact (“an order of protection” aka a restraining order) with Michael Chiesa, Ozzy Arias, Ray Borg, and Ricardo Chico. McGregor was released on a $50,000 bond; Cowley $25,000. Both men will have no restrictions on international travel.

McGregor will have to next appear in court on June 14th. </s> Conor McGregor has been granted bail at $50,000 after being ordered to return to the dock later this year after being charged with assault and criminal mischief.

Conor McGregor has been granted bail at $50,000 after being ordered to return to the dock later this year after being charged with assault and criminal mischief.

WATCH: Conor McGregor appears in New York court as he is granted bail at $50,000

McGregor was detained following an incident at a UFC media day in Brooklyn on Thursday. The Irishman and up to 20 of his entourage appeared to attack a bus with rival MMA fighters on board at a press event ahead.

The UFC star appeared in court alongside fellow fighter Cian Cowley, who was released on a 25,000 dollar bail for the same offence. McGregor, 29, a titan of the sport and the UFC's first two-weight champion, was charged following the incident at the company's media day in Brooklyn on Thursday. Both fighters are due to next appear at a New York court on June 14.

The 29-year-old was stripped of his UFC lightweight title earlier this week, with UFC chief Dana White earlier suggesting his star name was 'going to jail' and will not return to the UFV Ocatagon any time soon.

“Normally, yes – I would dive right in and do everything in my power to help one of my guys, but not in this situation” White today said told ESPN “He came into the Barclays Center, attacked our fighters, and attacked my staff with a bunch of guys – no. You don’t get my help on this one. “It’s out of character for Conor McGregor or any of my fighters. Crazy things happen in sports … you’re dealing with human beings with personal lives and all these other things. But in the history of the UFC, this is definitely the worst thing that’s happened. This is not the Conor McGregor I know.

"Will he fight again? He's going to jail, he's going to jail. He's also going to have lots of people suing him for this. It was a real bad career move for him." You can watch McGregor's court appearance here: </s> Mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor is being investigated by Irish police over a claim of sexual assault, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.

Early Tuesday morning, McGregor announced on Twitter that he was retiring from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which has made him one of the world's highest-paid athletes. Forbes estimates he earned $99 million last year.

"I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition," he tweeted. "I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement. Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!"

McGregor hasn't been charged with a crime. In January, he was arrested, questioned about the claim and released, the Times said. An investigation is continuing. (In Ireland and much of Europe, a formal criminal charge does not necessarily follow an arrest.)

The woman making the assault allegation said it happened at the Beacon Hotel, which sits on the outskirts of Dublin. McGregor has been a repeated guest at the hotel, usually booking its penthouse room, the Times reported. He last visited in December.

Ireland's police service would not confirm that McGregor was a suspect, the Times said.

On Tuesday afternoon, McGregor’s spokesperson, Karen Kessler, issued a statement denying that McGregor's retirement was related to the Times report. “This story has been circulating for some time and it is unclear why it is being reported now," she said. "The assumption that the Conor retirement announcement today is related to this rumor is absolutely false. Should Conor fight in the future it must be in an environment where fighters are respected for their value, their skill, their hard work and their dedication to the sport."

Irish news media have been reporting on the case since late last year, without naming McGregor. Ireland's laws don't allow rape suspects to be publicly named unless they have been convicted.

Volatile and colorful, McGregor is one of the faces most closely associated with mixed martial arts, even though he has fought only once since 2016. He lost that October 2018 match to Khabib Nurmagomedov.

In recent years, McGregor has repeatedly attracted headlines for violent incidents outside the ring. Last July, McGregor pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct charge after he threw a hand truck at a bus window outside Barclays Center after a UFC promo event; two fighters suffered facial injuries from broken glass. In January, the Nevada Athletic Commission suspended him from fighting for six months and fined him $50,000 after a fight broke out following his match with Nurmagomedov. He has an Apr. 10 court date in Miami on charges of strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief; he allegedly smashed a man's cellphone at a nightclub earlier this month. </s> Conor McGregor 'is under investigation for sexually assaulting a woman at a Dublin hotel in December'
• Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a Dublin hotel in December
• The Irish UFC star, who retired from the sport on Tuesday, has not been charged, but is being investigated by local police, according a New York Times report
• The woman making the claim said the incident occurred at Dublin's Beacon Hotel, where McGregor stays on occasion. He reportedly visited in December
• Irish media laws have prevented McGregor from being named in the news, but the incident has been reported locally without naming the alleged perpetrator

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a Dublin hotel in December.

The Irish UFC fighter, who retired from the sport earlier on Tuesday, has not been charged, but is being investigated by local police, according to the New York Times.

While the investigation is ongoing, that does not necessarily mean that McGregor is guilty of any crime.

'This story has been circulating for some time and it is unclear why it is being reported now,' McGregor spokeswoman's Karen Kessler said in a statement given to ESPN's Ariel Helwani.

'The assumption that the Conor retirement announcement is related to this rumor is absolutely false. Should Conor fight in the future it must be in an environment where fighters are respected for their value, their skill, their hard work and their dedication to the sport.'

The woman making the claim said the incident occurred at Dublin's Beacon Hotel, where McGregor reportedly stays on occasion.

He last visited in December, the New York Times reported.

Irish media laws have prevented McGregor from being named in news stories about the alleged sexual assault, but the incident has been reported locally without specifying him as the alleged perpetrator.

McGregor has been in a relationship with girlfriend Dee Devlin since 2008, and the couple has a son, Conor Jack McGregor Jr., who was born in 2017.

McGregor, who has retired from MMA twice in the last three years, has had several recent legal issues.

Last April he was accused of assault and criminal mischief after attacking a bus of rivals at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. He pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and has since completed community service.

More recently, McGregor was arrested in Miami on March 11 for allegedly destroying the cellphone of someone trying to take his photo.

He has been charged with robbery and criminal mischief in Florida, and the case is still pending.

He last fought at UFC 229 in October, when he fell to Khabib Nurmagomedov and was subsequently suspended for nine months and fined $500,000 following a post-match brawl.

Nurmagomedov had been one of the passengers on the bus that McGregor attacked in Brooklyn.

'I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition,' McGregor wrote on Twitter Tuesday morning. 'I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement. Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!' (Proper No. 12 his whiskey brand)

McGregor previously held the UFC lightweight belt but in October he was forced to relinquish it by UFC president Dana White because the fighter hadn't participated in a MMA event since 2016 - nearly a year before his doomed boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in August of 2017.

While McGregor's one and only professional boxing match was a financial success, resulting in 4.3 million domestic pay-per-view purchases and reportedly earning him over $100 million, he was clearly outmatched by Mayweather, who earned a TKO victory and effortlessly improved his record to 50-0.

Previously McGregor was the first UFC fighter to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. </s> UFC star Conor McGregor is under investigation in his native Ireland for sexual assault, according to a report on Tuesday.

The Dublin-born pro brawler is accused of assaulting a woman in December and was arrested the following month, four people familiar with the probe told the New York Times. The news comes just hours after an early morning tweet in which the fighter announced his retirement.

He has not been charged with a crime — though under standard protocol in Ireland and much of Europe, a formal charge does not necessarily follow an arrest.

McGregor, who welcomed his second child in January with longtime girlfriend Dee Devlin, was released after questioning.

The alleged victim told investigators that the incident occurred at the Beacon Hotel on the edge of Dublin.

McGregor, who has made millions in the octagon as one of the MMA’s most recognizable faces and boxed Floyd Mayweather in August 2017, has been spotted at the Beacon before and usually books its only penthouse room, a source told the Times.

His last and most recent known visit there was in December — the night before police say the alleged incident took place.

Police have recovered evidence from the room McGregor stayed in as well as security camera footage.

The allegations had previously been reported by Irish media, but McGregor was not named because of strict laws banning reporters from identifying people charged with rape unless they are convicted.

News of the ongoing investigation comes just after the 30-year-old announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Twitter — for the second time.

“Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as ‘Mixed Martial Art’ today,” he tweeted.

“I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition. I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement.”

He added, referring to his whiskey brand Proper No. 12, “Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!”

McGregor first posted about retiring “young” back in 2016 — leaving critics dubious about his most recent announcement.

see also Why Conor McGregor's UFC retirement is a little suspicious Conor McGregor tweeted early Tuesday morning that he is retiring...

He had been serving a six-month suspension but expected to return to the octagon in July, he said in a pre-taped interview on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

But he also hinted that fighting may no longer be in the cards.

“I am set for life, my family is set for life … we are good. But I am eager to fight, we will see what happens, I’m just staying ready,” he said.

McGregor is worth an estimated $99 million, according to Forbes, despite not appearing in a UFC fight since 2016.

He recently wrapped up community service at two churches in Brooklyn for chucking a hand truck at a bus full of rival fighters at the Barclays Center nearly a year ago.

But his legal woes in the US are far from over. He’s facing a civil suit in Florida for allegedly smashing a tourist’s phone when he caught him trying to snap a picture.

“This story has been circulating for some time and it is unclear why it is being reported now. The assumption that the Conor retirement announcement today is related to this rumor is absolutely false,” said McGregor’s spokeswoman Karen J. Kessler.

“Should Conor fight in the future it must be in an environment where fighters are respected for their value, their skill, their hard work and their dedication to the sport.” </s> Mixed martial star Conor McGregor said on March 25, 2019 he had retired from the sport, vowing to hang up his gloves for the second time in three years.

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor is under investigation in his native Ireland on an accusation of sexual assault, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

The report, in which the Times cited four unnamed sources, came a day after the trash-talking star of the Ultimate Fighting Championship wrote on Twitter that he had decided to retire from his career inside the octagon.

"Hey guys quick announcement, I've decided to retire from the sport formally known as 'Mixed Martial Art' today," McGregor wrote. "I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition."

The New York Times noted that McGregor has not been charged with a crime and the fact that an investigation is continuing "does not imply that McGregor is guilty of a crime."

But the newspaper said he had been questioned by law enforcement authorities in January after a woman accused him of sexual assault in December.

A spokesman for Ireland's police service would not confirm to the newspaper that McGregor was a suspect in the alleged assault.

The woman making the accusation said it occurred at the Beacon Hotel, where McGregor has been an occasional guest, according to the Times.

McGregor and the UFC have not commented on the allegations. Karen J. Kessler, a publicist for McGregor based in New Jersey, issued a statement that said the Times report and McGregor's retirement were not related.

"This story has been circulating for some time and it is unclear why it is being reported now," the statement said in part. "The assumption that the Conor retirement announcement today is related to this rumour is absolutely false."

The Dubliner, one of the most bankable stars in UFC, had previously vowed to retire in 2016 in a move that was widely seen as a negotiating gambit.

The 30-year-old has not fought since being well beaten by rival Khabib Nurmagomedov in October of last year.

McGregor was later handed a six-month suspension for his role in a post-fight melee after the Nurmagomedov bout, a ban that would have left him eligible to fight again in early April.

He was arrested in Miami earlier this month after allegedly smashing a phone outside a Florida nightclub.

He was later charged with criminal mischief and strong-armed robbery after police said he had slapped the phone out of a fan's hand and then stomped on it.

McGregor was also arrested last year in New York after police said he attacked a charter bus carrying several rival martial arts fighters. Video footage of the altercation showed McGregor throwing a steel dolly through a window of the bus.
Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor appears in court and is released on bail after being charged with assault and criminal mischief.