Conor McGregor has released a brief statement on Instagram following his arrest in Miami on Monday for allegedly smashing a fan’s cell phone.
“Patience in this world is a virtue I continue to work on,” McGregor wrote. “I love my fans dearly. Thank you all.”
In the photo accompanying the statement, McGregor is being escorted from Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami while wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the faux-newspaper front page including the headline “McGregor is Back.” The former UFC two-division champion was charged with felony strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief and held on $12,500 bond before his release at approximately 10:30 p.m. local time on Monday.
According to an arrest report, McGregor and the alleged victim, Ahmed Abdirzak, were walking out of the Liv nightclub inside the Fointainebleau Miami Beach Hotel around 5 a.m. When the fan attempted to take a photo of the fighter with his cell phone, McGregor allegedly “slapped” the device out of his hand and stomped on it several times. McGregor then picked up the $1,000 phone and walked away with it.
“Last evening Conor McGregor was involved in a minor altercation over a cell phone that resulted in a call to law enforcement,” McGregor’s attorney, Samuel Rabin, said in a statement. “Mr. McGregor appreciates the response of law enforcement and pledges his full cooperation.”
McGregor is still serving a six-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his role in the post-fight brawl following the UFC 229 main event this past October. The “Notorious” will be eligible to return to UFC competition on April 5.