Conor McGregor narrowly avoids jail time for dangerous driving

Former UFC double champion Conor McGregor has narrowly avoided jail time after being handed a suspended sentence for an offence in 2022.

McGregor appeared at Blanchardstown District Court on Wednesday for several court mentions in the case, which relates to several driving offences after an incident on the N4/M50 interchange in Palmerstown, Dublin, on March 22, 2022.

The 36-year-old had been travelling in his Bentley Continental GT when he was stopped by gardai on the motorway.

In court, he was handed a suspended sentence for dangerous driving. He also received a two-year driving ban and a fine for two traffic offences.

Judge David McHugh said: “This is an appalling series of breaches of the road traffic rules and an appalling episode of dangerous driving.”

He imposed a five-month sentence, suspended on condition that McGregor kept the peace for two years and hit the UFC superstar with fines totalling €5,000 – the maximum for such an offence.

Remorse and mitigating factors

The judge found that ‘remorseful’ McGregor’s driving was ‘persistent, prolonged and deliberate’ but noting the mitigating factors and guilty plea, he held that ‘It is appropriate to meet this matter by way of a suspended sentence, and only just’.

After the decision, the Irishman, accompanied by his father Tony, made no comment other than thank you to an onlooker who wished him well.

Impact on UFC career

The driving ban comes after McGregor was forced to pull out of UFC 303, where he was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler in the main-event. A toe injury prompted him to withdraw, with a December date mooted for their clash.

The former UFC double champion hasn’t fought since July 2021 when he suffered a crushing first-round TKO defeat (doctor stoppage) to Dustin Poirier. He’s on a two-fight losing skid, having lost back-to-back fights to Poirier.

His last win inside the famed Octagon came against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone at UFC 246 back in January 2020.

It remains to be seen how the driving ban and potential jail time will impact McGregor’s UFC career. He is one of the biggest stars in the sport and a major draw for the UFC, but his recent legal troubles could cast a shadow over his future.

Conclusion

Conor McGregor has narrowly avoided jail time for dangerous driving, but the incident has raised questions about his future in the UFC. The driving ban and potential jail time could have a significant impact on his career, and it remains to be seen how he will bounce back from this latest setback.