Mixed martial arts: Conor McGregor skirts assault issue, talks fashion instead

LAS VEGAS • Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor stayed silent on Wednesday when questioned directly about two sexual assault allegations against him in Ireland.

The Irishman, who is the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) biggest draw, was fielding questions at a press conference at the Palms Casino Resort ahead of tomorrow's welterweight bout against American Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, his first fight in 15 months.

When a reporter asked about the status of the two investigations, McGregor's fans, several hundred of whom packed the Pearl Theatre, booed loudly.

Cerrone intervened to request for questions relating only to the fight, while UFC president, Dana White, maintained that McGregor had already clarified the matter during an earlier interview with ESPN.

When asked whether the investigations, one of which has been ongoing for more than a year, had jeopardised his ability to compete in the upcoming bout, White simply replied, "No."

The 31-year-old McGregor, however, did respond to a general question about his legal issues, saying: "I've done nothing wrong here."

The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion did not let the line of questioning derail his mood, though, as he praised his opponent, a departure from his usual trash talk ahead of fights.

On Cerrone, whom he has had past run-ins with, he said: "As time has gone on, you've seen him become a good family man and obviously, you've seen him compete so much, it's hard not to respect him at this stage."

He also talked up the 36-year-old's fashion sense after noticing his python-skin coat, adding: "That's one hell of a coat, Donald, I've got to give credit where credit is due. I don't know whether you've outdone me here, I've got lining on the inside of my baby here, but that's a damn good coat, brother."

In an interview with ESPN published on Monday, McGregor implied he was restricted in what he could say about the assault allegations.

"I can't say anything about this," he said. "It just has to take place. Time will reveal all, time will tell all. And then that's it."

NYTIMES