The UFC is “incredibly” disappointed with lightweight fighter Conor McGregor said Lawrence Epstein, COO of the sporting body.
“We’ve come so far in legitimizing the sport and growing our business,” the exec told Cheddar in an in interview Friday. “[His behavior] is just not representative of who we are.”
McGregor was arrested Thursday for an altercation in Brooklyn where he attacked a bus full of fellow UFC fighters, injuring two of them.
“The first thing that’s got to happen is a criminal investigation,” Epstein said. Once that is over, the UFC will decide what to do internally and the option of kicking the fighter out of the UFC is not off the table, he said.
McGregor is known for his flamboyant and provocative antics. For example, he swiped Floyd Mayweather Jr. with racist and demeaning slurs ahead of their highly anticipated UFC-boxing crossover match last year.
The league, which celebrated its 25th anniversary Friday, hosts UFC 223 Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Since its inception, it’s [evolved](https://cheddar.com/videos/how-the-ufc-has-changed-over-its-25-year-history) from being a “very spectacle-oriented, niche, U.S.-centric sport to...a truly global brand,” said Epstein.
He added that the body has worked very hard at making it a safe and regulated space with no tolerance for fighters like McGregor.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/cheddar-steps-into-the-octagon-with-ufc).
Under Armour delivered autographed Curry 4 sneakers by drone to fans over the weekend. StockX CEO Josh Luber explains how this promotion is resonating with fans, and how the sneaker retailer is performing.
Peter Feigin, President of the Milwaukee Bucks, joins Cheddar to discuss the new arena fans and players have to look forward to in 2018. The new building will cost around $524 million and most of that cost is going towards customizing the fan's experience.
Bitcoin futures start trading on the CME, and Congressional Democrats call for a hearing on the Disney/Fox deal. Plus tax reform gets closer, weather could have an impact on holiday shopping, and the rise of ICOs.
Football fans will now be able to stream their favorite games on their phones, after Verizon signed a multi-year deal with the NFL. Paul Kelly, Chief Revenue Officer of Whistle Sports joins Cheddar to discuss the ever-changing landscape for sports media.
Paul Kelly, chief revenue officer at Whistle Sports, says that this deal will allow Verizon to tap the millennial market with more than just live sports.
Season 3 of Nickelodeon's competition series "Paradise Run" kicks off in 2018. Host of the show, Daniella Monet, shares what to expect in the new season of this series.
The first box office forecasts for "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" are in and it's looking like the sequel is the hit Hollywood has been waiting for this year. Bauer Xcel Media's Kate Spies and FHM's Nick Dimengo join Cheddar to discuss the early reviews and more top entertainment headlines.
It's official: the final four teams have been selected for the college football championship. Nick Dimengo, Senior Editor at FHM Magazine, joins Cheddar to discuss his picks for the Clemson vs. Alabama and Oklahoma, vs. Georgia games.
Jennifer Cunningham, Senior Editor at Bossip.com, and Todd Johnson, Managing Editor at The Grio, discuss Colin Kaepernick winning Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. Kaepernick was honored for fighting social injustice against African Americans, and his pledge to continue to fight, despite not having an NFL contract.
When veterans return home from service, many struggle to find jobs and careers. That's why Quick Lane launched the "Trading One Uniform For Another," program to help veterans fund an automotive education and career.
