The first press conference for Conor McGregor after his tumultuous time away from the UFC was tame for his standards. Yet, the one question that may have reminded all that his legal troubles cannot be shouted down by fight fans are the accusations of sexual assault.
Even with the UFC isolating the harmful questions to an ESPN interview with Ariel Helwani, a question about sexual allegations during Wednesday’s press conference cast a damper on what the UFC and McGregor hope to be a redemption tour which focuses on a great fight rather than the wrongs of a troubled individual.
Dana White shuts down Conor McGregor sexual assault allegations questions at UFC 246 Pre-Fight press conference Wednesday night. https://t.co/s6xUaKNsif pic.twitter.com/QKbm9Vbp7O
— NESN (@NESN) January 16, 2020
While White referred the reporter, Morgan Campbell, to the ESPN interview and the rest on the dais discredited the question, it was a viable one that the parties should know would happen. In the ESPN interview with Helwani, McGregor responded to the allegations. “Time, please, that’s all. Time will reveal all. Time will tell all,” pleaded McGregor. Certainly, even if McGregor could say anything about the incidents, he may not based on advice from his legal representatives. He is denying the allegations and maintaining innocence.
Yet when Campbell asked the question, Dana White, Donald Cerrone and UFC fans came to McGregor’s rescue in shouting down the question. McGregor stayed silent. Perhaps, Campbell’s only mistake in asking the question was that he didn’t know that the press conference was in name only. While I was not there, it took some guts to ask a question as it was certain that the fans and the UFC would be unhappy with it in that setting even though the definition of a press conference is the media to ask questions.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with the question asked, and its unfortunate, but the UFC nor the fans were not wrong to respond accordingly. While it may have been time and place for the question, the UFC and fans decided it was the wrong time and not the place.
For those wanting to know what would be the prescription for that type of
question I would say that McGregor could have acknowledged the question,
indicated that it is a current legal matter that he cannot expand upon through
advice of his legal counsel but he denies all of the allegations. That would be simple, to the point and would
address the matter without getting into a full-blown shouting match. Moreover, it would quell any follow-up
questions since he would have the cover of ‘legal matter pending.’
The actions yesterday are not limited to combat sports. Other sports have to deal with these types of issues where legal matters are asked during press conferences and locker rooms. Usually, they are scurried away without much follow-up. But, while some think that the exercise in asking the question is futile, it still should be asked.
From the UFC perspective, they would like to rebuild the McGregor brand. While he seems to be much more subdued than in prior fight weeks, there is still an appeal to his abilities inside the Octagon. Notwithstanding his legal troubles, combat sports is full of characters with not-so-wholesome backgrounds that are and have been fan favorites. Mike Tyson anyone?
For McGregor, he does not want this time in his career to be overtaken by legal issues although they still might. He is in damage control at this point and the only way to make people forget about his misdeeds is to do what made him famous inside the Octagon.
And for the fans, it is another paradox one faces with combat sports. While we enjoy the bloodthirsty violence, we want the characters that do these things to be upstanding citizens. Yet, one of the reasons that make them good at violence is that they are not saints.
As McGregor starts his “season” with the UFC, he will attempt to beat back demons while reviving his career. Through this, the hope is that he can bury his personal troubles in the Octagon.
But the questions should still be asked.
Leave a Reply