The Fan Involved in the Incident That Got Conor McGregor Arrested Speaks Out
Monday was a big news day in the sports world with the unofficial start of NFL free agency and Russell Westbrook getting into it with a Utah Jazz fan.
Almost lost in the shuffle was MMA star Conor McGregor getting arrested over a physical altercation with a fan.
McGregor was charged with strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief in Miami Beach after allegedly taking and then destroying a man’s cellphone.
The man, Ahmed Abdizak, says he is actually a fan of the UFC fighter and he gave his version of events to TMZ Sports.
Abdizak said he saw McGregor outside the Fontainebleau resort and took out his phone to snap a photo.
He said McGregor approached him and seemed to be offering a handshake.
(WARNING: Video contains graphic language.)
“As soon as he came to shake my hand,” Abdirzak said, “he pulled me in and he grabbed my phone and he started smashing it and all his security guards literally surrounded me, pushed me out the way, and he’s stomping on it. … He was just like, ‘Get the f— out my face. Move.’ And then I was like, ‘Yo, sir, can I have my phone back?’
“There was security in his entourage around him and I asked them, ‘Yo, can I get my phone back, please?’ And it was like, ‘Yo, move, man. You better listen to what Conor says.’ … McGregor picked the phone up, put it in his pocket, laughed, and then he got in his (vehicle) and they drove off, literally. That’s when the hotel manager come to me and said, ‘Listen, I’ll sort this out. Don’t worry.'”
Abdirzak said there were many A-list celebrities in the club near where the incident took place, including NBA and NFL players. But he said only McGregor and his entourage gave him any trouble.
Losing the phone itself isn’t as big a deal as losing the items he had on it, Abdirzak said.
“I’ve got pictures of my son that I didn’t even save on my iCloud that I’m gonna lose,” he said. “That’s really what pissed me off the most. I’ve got pictures of my son I’ll probably never gonna get again.”
McGregor was booked in jail and released Monday night after posting $12,500 bond.
His lawyer, Samuel Rabin, released a statement that read: “Last evening Conor McGregor was involved a minor altercation over a cell phone that resulted in a call to law enforcement. Mr. McGregor appreciates the response of law enforcement and pledges his full cooperation.”
McGregor didn’t seem to be sweating the arrest the next morning as he went for a casual run through South Beach.
Never one to pass up a marketing opportunity, McGregor’s team is selling versions of the T-shirt that McGregor was photographed in while leaving jail.
Ever seen anyone cash in off their own arrest? Enter Conor McGregor, whose fashion brand with David August is once again selling the T-shirt McGregor was wearing while leaving jail. Two days only. $56 a shirt! pic.twitter.com/BpqwfLlmnZ
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 12, 2019
McGregor’s arraignment is scheduled for April 10.
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