Conor McGregor may not be able to fight in New York again says state executive: ‘It’s like Charles Manson’

New York State Athletic Commission executive director Kim Sumbler compared McGregor to the cult leader when discussing the Irishman's chances of fighting in New York again

No decision has yet been made on whether Conor McGregor will be allowed to fight in New York again, according to the State Athletic Commission executive director, who then bizarrely compared the UFC fighter to cult leader Charles Manson.

McGregor appeared in a New York City courtroom on Friday afternoon on charges of assault, following a violent backstage fracas after a press event at UFC 223.

He is charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief, after the altercation in a parking lot at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn which left two UFC fighters injured.

And his actions mean that he may now be unable to fight in New York again – with the State Athletic Commission's executive director Kim Sumbler comparing the Irishman to Manson, a cult leader who in 1971 was convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of seven people.

“(McGregor) would have to apply for a license first,” Sumbler told MMAJunkie in Brooklyn, where UFC 223 was staged on Saturday night. “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.”

Despite Sumbler’s ambiguous comments, McGregor is believed to be targeting a return to the Octagon “as soon as possible”.

“[There has been] so much rumour and misinformation about my client, Conor McGregor,” his agent, Audie Attar, wrote in a statement published to Twitter over the weekend.

The Irishman has been compared to the cult leader Charles Manson (Getty)

“The matter is in the hands of law enforcement and I cannot really say more.

“Conor is a great father, a fiercely loyal friend and one of the best athletes in the world.

“He looks forward to getting back to fighting as soon as possible.”