Mixed martial arts, McGregor sorry for ‘unacceptable’ pub attack

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor apologized on Thursday for his attack on an older man in a Dublin bar which was captured on video before going viral last week .

McGregor

In an interview with ESPN on Thursday , the controversial Irish fighter said he was mortified by his conduct shown on the video, in which he punches the man in an apparently unprovoked attack.

“ I was in the wrong, ” McGregor said . “ That man deserved to enjoy his time in the pub without having it end the way it did.

“ I must come here before you and take accountability and take responsibility . I owe it to the people that have been supporting me . I owe it to my mother , my father , my family. I owe it to the people who trained me in martial arts . That ’ s not who I am . ”

The incident is now being investigated by police and McGregor said he is ready to accept any punishment meted out .

“ Whatever comes my way , I will face it , ” McGregor said . “ Whatever comes my way , I deserve it . I will face this head on . I will not hide from it . I was in the wrong. It was completely unacceptable behaviour for a man in my position . ”

The 31 -year-old , an icon of the UFC , meanwhile said he is keen to return to fighting despite announcing his retirement in March .

“ I must get my head screwed on and just get back in the game and fight for redemption , retribution , respect — the things that made me the man I am , ” McGregor said . “ And that ’ s what I will do . ”

McGregor has not fought since being battered into submission by arch -rival Khabib Nurmagomedov in October last year .

However he insists he is ready to make a comeback despite his lengthy layoff .

“ Mine is gonna be the greatest ( comeback ) of all , ” McGregor said .

( AFP ) via Punchng