Arsenal enraged by Conor McGregor incident

Cameron Smith

• 7 Oct 2024 07:45 BST
• 4 min read

Arsenal have reportedly conducted an internal club review after Conor McGregor was spotted play-fighting with Bukayo Saka after their win over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side ran out 2-0 winners against the Ligue 1 giants last week, but the club were forced to launch an investigation after McGregor was able to enter the pitch without permission.

The famous UFC fighter accompanied Declan Rice and the aforementioned Saka onto the Emirates pitch after Arsenal’s win and he was seen kicking a ball around with the England duo.

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However, McGregor then initiated a play-fight with Arsenal winger Saka. The Irishman aimed kicks and punches at the 23-year-old, and the club are hugely concerned by the fact McGregor was able to practise UFC moves on one of Arteta’s most important players.

The Times have confirmed that Arsenal have conducted an internal review into the incident, with club sources revealing that McGregor did not have permission to enter the pitch.

Instead, he accompanied Saka and Rice onto the playing surface after receiving VIP tickets for the match.

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The hospitality box in which McGregor watched the win is reportedly located close to where Arsenal players gather post-match, and the UFC fighter subsequently followed Saka and Rice through the tunnel without being challenged by security.

McGregor was eventually asked to leave the pitch, but due to this incident the club are now looking to ensure players don’t interact with celebrity guests post-match.

Conor McGregor’s financial goals

McGregor has not fought in the UFC since losing to Dustin Poirier on two occasions in 2021, and his aspirations have shifted away from sport and towards business.

Last year, he revealed his goal to become the highest-paid athlete in history. McGregor told the official UFC YouTube channel: “It's motivating, Michael Jordan's at the top spot, obviously with the Jordan brand that took him there, he's worth multiple billions.

“I think it's $3.3billion he's made. I'm closing in on a billion, I think I'm at about $650m all in that I've made.

“I think they estimate that, I'd probably have to do my own little check of that, but I fancy my chances of getting up that list.”