BROOKLYN, N.Y. – In an odd aside, the New York State Athletic Commission’s executive director referenced Charles Manson when asked about Conor McGregor’s future in the Empire State.
Asked whether McGregor (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) might be eligible for a future fight license in New York given his melee this week at UFC 223 media day, NYSAC executive director Kim Sumbler dropped the recently deceased cult leader’s name in describing McGregor’s chances.
“(McGregor) would have to apply for a license first,” Sumbler told reporters backstage at Barclays Center, which hosts Saturday’s UFC 223. “I can’t speculate.
“It’s like asking me if Charles Manson got released from jail, what would you do? I’m not presented with that case yet. I have too many other things to think about.”
As embarrassing as McGregor’s actions were to the sport, seemingly comparing the UFC star to a notorious criminal was another sour note from a commission that’s seen plenty of negative scrutiny for its regulation of Saturday’s event.
From a reported scratch of UFC featherweight champ Max Holloway without a doctor’s recommendation, to the use of the promotion’s rankings to rule out Paul Felder as a last-minute UFC 223 headliner (an action later debunked by Sumber), to the refusal to certify Al Iaquinta as a title challenger, the NYSAC didn’t exactly paint itself as a friend to the sport.
Things didn’t start out weird, to be clear. Before referencing Manson, Sumbler indicated the commission won’t rush to judgement when it comes to McGregor. As plain as the circumstances are, she said there will be due process when evaluating the champ’s ability to fight in New York. Once McGregor applies for a license, the commission will weigh the facts in deciding whether or not to issue one.
“We would have to work on the circumstances then,” Sumbler said. “Right now I can’t tell you. We know he’s been charged, we obviously saw the video. Nothing’s been ‘proven.’ I can’t speculate on how we’re going to treat that situation in the future until I’m presented with the facts at the time.”
So, the NYSAC appears to be in the right place, which is to say the commission is doing its job dispassionately, not jumping to conclusions or letting public sentiment influence its job.
It’s rep just has a funny way of communicating that.
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