Conor McGregor: Legal team issue strong denial over plea deal rumour ahead of court case
CONOR MCGREGOR's legal team have insisted there's no truth to rumours of the Irishman reaching a plea deal in his ongoing court case.
The UFC's poster boy is currently facing three charges of assault and one charge of criminal mischief for his antics at the UFC 223 media day in Brooklyn, New York, where he threw a dolly through the window of a bus carrying his fellow fighters.
On Saturday afternoon, it was reported that 'The Notorious' and his representatives have been working on a plea deal with the Brooklyn District Attorney in order for the Irishman to avoid any hard time.
TMZ reported that prosecutors have agreed to reduce McGregor's felony criminal mischief charge, a charge which could have serious implications on his ability to re-enter the United States, to a misdemeanor.
The news soon came to the attention of McGregor's representatives and they were quick to deny the notion of any plea deal being reached.
"There is no accuracy to recent tabloid reports speculating about a potential plea for Conor McGregor,” spokesperson Karen Kessler said in a statement for McGregor’s lawyer, Cozen O’Connor.
"We do not, and will not comment on any discussions we may or may not be having with the DA’s office."
McGregor, 30, will appear in court on Thursday morning to learn his fate for his latest misdemeanour, which left Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg with facial and eye injuries respectively.
Conor McGregor goes on wild rampage during UFC media day
There is no accuracy to recent tabloid reports speculating about a potential plea for Conor McGregor
Ireland's first UFC belt holder hasn't set foot inside the Octagon since claiming the lightweight title 20 months ago in the main event of UFC 205, a card where he defeated Eddie Alvarez to become to the promotion's first simultaneous two-weight world champion.
He's is expected to be welcomed back to the Octagon by Khabib Nurmagomedov, his successor at the summit of the lightweight division.
A date for the pair’s grudge match hasn’t been set, but the bout is understood to be in the works for UFC 229 on October 6.
Nurmagomedov’s head coach Javier Mendez is also in the dark over when the fight will happen, telling Express Sport: "I was told September or October.
“And then I was told they don’t know. I’m at the 'I don’t know' stage. It’s like always."
He added: ”It’s not going to surprise me if it happens in September, October, November or December.
“What will surprise me is if it happens next year. That would be a surprise. That I’m not expecting.
"If he’s going to fight Conor, I’m expecting it this year."
Nurmagomedov, 29, replaced McGregor at the summit of the lightweight division at UFC 223 in April, defeating Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision to become the promotion's first Russian champion.
'The Eagle' has begun preparations for his first title defence, recently telling Tass at the World Cup Final: "Yes, I've started training.
"I feel very good, thank God there are no injuries.
“I train hard, in the morning and in the evening, except on Sunday, I gave myself a rest to watch the World Cup."