Conor McGregor's timeline of trouble, from Khabib Nurmagomedov bus incident to 2024 sexual assault case

Conor McGregor's timeline of trouble, from Khabib Nurmagomedov bus incident to 2024 sexual assault case originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Conor McGregor had long been a worldwide sensation when he boxed Floyd Mayweather in a much-anticipated crossover event in 2017. Since that point, McGregor's reputation has spiraled.

The MMA fighter has struggled to stay out of trouble, battling serious legal issues and sexual assault allegations that kept him in the news for anything but his work in the octagon.

As McGregor makes his return, he's hoping his personal life is finally back on track.

Here's a complete look at McGregor's timeline of trouble since the 2017 Mayweather fight.

MORE:Conor McGregor says he's 'better than ever' ahead of UFC return

Conor McGregor timeline of trouble

2018: Khabib Nurmagomedov bus incident

Days after Khabib Nurmagomedov slapped McGregor's training partner Artem Lobov, McGregor targeted Nurmagomedov in a bizarre incident at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

McGregor and more than a dozen other men stormed the loading dock at the venue and attacked a bus carrying Nurmagomedov and other UFC fighters. At one point, McGregor threw a steel dolly at the window of the bus, shattering it and injuring multiple people.

"No one knew what was going on. Everyone was, 'What the heck is this? What are we under attack from?'" UFC fighter Al Iaquinta told ESPN. "And then we saw Conor running, and we were like, 'Oh, all right."

McGregor was charged with three counts of misdemeanor assault and one count of criminal mischief, though a plea deal reduced the case to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct.

"The most disgusting thing that has ever happened in the history of the company."

2018: McGregor suspended for Nurmagomedov brawl

After a separate skirmish involving Nurmagomedov after their fight on Oct. 6, 2018, McGregor received a six-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission and a $50,000 fine.

Nurmagomedov scaled the cage and targeted one of McGregor's training partners, which sparked a large-scale brawl involving McGregor and brought the rivalry between the two fighters to new heights.

2019: McGregor arrested for smashing fan's phone

McGregor was arrested and charged with robbery and criminal mischief for smashing a fan's phone in Miami in 2019. Video showed the fan was one of several people trying to take a photo or video of McGregor when the MMA fighter grabbed the phone and stomped on it.

Prosecutors have released video of Conor McGregor smashing a fan’s phone in Miami.pic.twitter.com/hqb5QO8ggm

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 11, 2019

The man whose phone was smashed dropped the charges against McGregor two months later.

2019: McGregor arrested for punching man in Dublin

In August 2019, McGregor was charged for punching a man in a Dublin pub. McGregor would plead guilty to assault and received only a fine for the incident.

McGregor later purchased the pub in which he punched the man.

2020: McGregor arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

McGregor was arrested in France on the island of Corsica on suspicion of sexual assault and indecent exposure in September of 2020, but he was released without any charges two days later.

2021: Altercation with Machine Gun Kelly

An interaction between McGregor and rapper Machine Gun Kelly on the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet nearly turned ugly in 2021, as McGregor lunged at the rapper and appeared to throw a drink in his direction.

Conor Mcgregor and Machine Gun Kelly got into an altercation on the red carpet at the MTV #VMAs 👀😳 pic.twitter.com/3dFDxOjbpg

— Hip Hop Ties (@HipHopTiesMedia) September 13, 2021

After the skirmish, McGregor denied that he tried to fight Machine Gun Kelly and denied knowing him at all.

"Nothing happened with me," McGregor said. "I only fight real fighters. People that actually fight. I certainly don't fight little Vanilla Ice white rappers. I don't even know the guy, don't know anything about him except that he's with Megan Fox."

2022: McGregor arrested for driving offenses

McGregor was arrested and charged with six driving offenses in Ireland in early 2022, resulting in his Bentley being temporarily seized. The case was resolved in 2024, when McGregor received a five-month suspended jail sentence and a two-year driving ban. Because McGregor has stayed out of trouble in Ireland since the sentence, he has not had to serve jail time.

2023: Woman claims assault on yacht

A woman claimed in early 2023 that she was physically assaulted and threatened by McGregor on a yacht in Ibiza, Spain, several months earlier. The allegations included a claim that the woman broke her arm while jumping off the yacht to get away from McGregor.

One month later, however, the woman dropped a civil suit against McGregor.

2023: McGregor injures Miami Heat mascot

In a bizarre incident, McGregor participated in a skit with Miami Heat mascot "Burnie" during an NBA Finals game but went beyond the script by delivering a real punch and injuring the man in the costume. The man was hospitalized but avoided serious injury. 

Conor McGregor vs the Heat mascot last night 🤣🙈👊 pic.twitter.com/BRXSSWQvHT

— Football Fights (@Footballfights) June 10, 2023

After the incident, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra laughed it off. "We won’t reveal who that is but he’s tough," Spoelstra said of the man in the Burnie costume. "Take a punch and get back up. Yeah, he’s not going to miss any time."

2023: McGregor accused of sexual assault at Heat game

A woman claimed McGregor "aggressively kissed her" in a bathroom at the same NBA Finals game between the Heat and Nuggets. McGregor denied the claims, but the woman ultimately filed a lawsuit against the MMA fighter. The suit was dropped in late 2025.

2024: McGregor found liable for 2018 sexual assault

McGregor was found liable by an Irish court for a 2018 sexual assault in a hotel room. While McGregor continued to deny the allegation and was not criminally charged, he was ordered to pay the woman $257,000.