REFEREE Marc Goddard has broken his silence after he was attacked by Conor McGregor in chaotic scenes on Friday.
The unsavoury incident occurred in Dublin after the UFC lightweight champion had burst into the octagon at the Bellator 187 event.
McGregor, 29, entered the cage to celebrate his team-mate Charlie Ward’s stoppage win over John Redmond before he was ordered to leave due to him not being an official member of his corner team.
McGregor then furiously charged towards the ref Goddard – who had previously told him to sit down during Artem Lobov’s fight at UFC Gdanksk.
He then appears to push the official, as a melee ensues with the defeated John Redmond still on the canvas receiving treatment.
Goddard has now tweeted: “I operate with integrity, belief and values. I hold MMA in a deep rooted place in my life and have considered myself most fortunate to have done so for so long.
“Family first. Everything else second. Respect.”
After being restrained, McGregor was escorted out of the cage while continuing to hurl abuse in the direction of the referee.
‘I’M SICK OF YOU’ McGregor storms Bellator octagon and appears to punch official
The two-weight champ raised his hands in the air as the crowd applauded, before he suddenly turned and charged back towards the octagon screaming: “I’m sick of you. That was a f**king stoppage.”
He was then seen appearing to PUNCH Bellator staff member Mike Johnson, who tried to stop him re-entering the cage.
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Bellator have confirmed they are investigating the incident.
In a statement released late last night, they said: “We’re aware of the in-cage altercation involving Conor McGregor and a Bellator staff member.
“Viacom and Bellator hold the safety and well-being of our staff in the highest regard and we’re currently reviewing the situation.”
McGregor is currently planning his return to UFC having not fought in MMA for a year.
The fighter made his boxing debut back in August when he lost to Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas but last fought in the octagon when he defeated Eddie Alvarez in November.
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