UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier believes fame has gotten to Conor McGregor’s head.
Last week, a woman accused McGregor of raping her while attending Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 10 in Miami. The alleged sexual assault occurred inside a men’s bathroom at Kaseya Center. McGregor has denied the allegation, with attorney Barbara R. Llanes calling it “no more than a shakedown.” The UFC, NBA and Miami Heat all have issued statements saying investigations into the situation are ongoing.
Cormier sees a big issue with the people surrounding McGregor, whom he expects to help prevent the UFC’s biggest star from getting into trouble.
“You almost become a victim to the fame,” Cormier said on his ESPN show “DC & RC.” “You and I don’t know that level of fame. We just never got there, but you almost become a victim to the fame, and it seems as though he’s unwilling to let go of that, to let go of the idea that he can do less, that he has to be insulated, that he has to be surrounded by people that say no.
“But as you and I both know, especially fighters, as you sign all the checks, people are less likely to say no to you because they don’t want to let go of the money. I think that is why McGregor finds himself in that situation.”
McGregor is currently coaching Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter” opposite Michael Chandler, which has aired Tuesdays on ESPN since May 30 and is set to continue until Aug. 15. While a fight between McGregor and Chandler is expected, nothing has been booked.
Daniel Cormier: Conor McGregor has ‘almost become a victim to the fame,’ needs people to tell him no