Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Conor McGregor’s huge UFC lightweight title fight with the undefeated and undisputed champion Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t the only huge fight going down in Las Vegas this evening.
The UFC have delivered an absolutely stacked card in anticipation of a record-breaking evening for the promotion.
The co-main event is another huge lightweight showdown between Tony Ferguson and Anthony Pettis, with the winner likely guaranteed a title shot against the winner of the main event.
Follow LIVE coverage of Khabib vs McGregor tonight.
Show all 13 1 /13Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Conor McGregor's most controversial moments The Irish superstar is no stranger to controversy. Here are twelve occasions in which he generated headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments 'F*** the Queen' McGregor came in for criticism from some quarters for wearing a poppy at a UFC event back in 2015. “I know where my allegiance lies and what I do for my country,” was his firebrand response. “You have a pint in your hand and a Celtic jersey on in your local. F*** you and the Queen.”
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Nazi row One of the first serious controversies in McGregor’s career. “Kiss them feet, Nazi,” he tweeted German fighter Dennis Siver. His apology also came in for criticism: “Ich bin bin sowwy. Now about them feet…” he wrote.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Insulting Aldo “I own this town, I own Rio de Janeiro,” McGregor told Brazilian fighter Jose Aldo, in a series of heavily criticised comments. “In previous times I would invade his favela on horseback and would kill anyone who wasn’t fit to work, but we’re in a new time, so I’ll whoop his ass instead.”
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments UFC 200 no show McGregor decided he did not have the time to fulfil his press duties ahead of UFC 200, and his scheduled rematch with Nate Diaz. UFC president Dana White was unimpressed with his no-show at a press conference and decided to pull him from the card. McGregor and Diaz would eventually meet at UFC 202, with the Irishman taking a points decision.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Bottles ahoy McGregor has been in trouble for throwing things before. Ahead of UFC 202 he became involved in a heated altercation with the Diaz brothers, which culminated in him hurling full cans of energy drink across a press conference. He was subsequently fined $25k by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and handed 25-hours community service.
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Racism allegations There were a number of controversial moments during the Mayweather vs McGregor world press tour, with the UFC champion accused of racism on more than one ocassion. He attracted criticism for telling Mayweather to “dance for me, boy!” before later reasoning he was not a racist because “I’m black from the bellybutton down.”
Getty Images
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Showtime spat Showtime Spots executive Stephen Espinoza was less than impressed when McGregor turned his ire to him during the Mayweather vs McGregor world tour. “While we’re at it, f*ck Showtime too,” McGregor shouted at Espinoza in Toronto. “Look at you, you little f*cking weasel, I can see it in your eyes, you’re a f*cking bitch. Cut my mic off? Cut the champ’s mic off? Hell no. You f*cking weasel.”
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Bellator brawl After his team-mate Charlie Ward defeated John Redmond at a Bellator event in Dublin, McGregor vaulted into the cage and began arguing with respected referee Marc Goddard. McGregor pushed Goddard and threatened an official, before eventually apologising. “I’ve always learned from my mistakes, and this will be no different,” he said.
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Homophobia allegations The Irishman was heavily criticised when television cameras overheard him referring to Andre Fili as a “f****” after the American beat his training partner Artem Lobov at UFC Gdansk. “I’m human; I slip up, I say stupid things every damn day,” McGregor later apologised. “All I can (do) is hold my hand up and apologise if anyone was offended.”
Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Darkest day A warrant for McGregor’s arrest was issued after the Irishman was caught on video smashing the window of a bus full of fighters with a sack trolley. Two fighters were injured in the incident, with McGregor eventually handing himself in to the police. He was eventually sentenced to three days of anger management courses and five days community service.
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments UFC ban He was banned from the UFC for six months and fined $50k for brawling with the camp of Khabib after his world title loss.
Getty
Conor McGregor's most controversial moments Latest shame On Monday, McGregor was arrested in Miami Beach for allegedly destroying and stealing the mobile phone of a man who was attempting to take his photograph.
Miami Beach PD
Elsewhere, rising star Dominick Reyes will be looking to extend his win streak against the experienced Ovince Saint Preux.
And a score will be settled when Derrick Lewis and Alexander Volkov go to war.
Find out the full UFC 229 card below.
Follow LIVE coverage of Khabib vs McGregor tonight.
UFC 229 PPV Main Event 155 lbs.: UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov def Conor McGregor Submission (neck crank) 4 3:03
UFC 229 PPV Main Card 155 lbs.: Tony Ferguson def Anthony Pettis TKO (corner stoppage) 2 5:00
205 lbs.: Dominick Reyes def Ovince Saint Preux Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
265 lbs.: Derrick Lewis def Alexander Volkov KO (punches) 3 4:50
115 lbs.: Michelle Waterson def Felice Herrig Decision (unanimous) (30-26, 29-28, 30-27)
UFC 229 FOX Sports 1 ‘Prelims’ Undercard 125 lbs.: Jussier Formiga def Sergio Pettis Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
170 lbs.: Vincente Luque def Jalin Turner KO (punches) 1 3:52
135 lbs.: Aspen Ladd def Tonya Evinger TKO (punches) 1 3:26
155 lbs.: Scott Holtzman def Alan Patrick KO (elbows) 3 3:42
UFC 229 Fight Pass ‘Prelims’ Undercard 135 lbs.: Yana Kunitskaya def Lina Lansberg Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) 3 5:00
155 lbs.: Nik Lentz def Gray Maynard TKO (head kick and punches) R2 1:19
170 lbs.: Tony Martin def Ryan LaFlare TKO (head kick and punches) R3 1:00
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies