Nov. 14 (UPI) -- UFC superstar Conor McGregor issued an apology for jumping into an MMA cage last week in Dublin, Ireland.
But he still dissed the referee.
McGregor issued the apology Tuesday on Instagram.
On Friday, the Irishman made headlines at Bellator 187. He was watching SBG Ireland teammate Charlie Ward battle John Redmond. After Ward won the fight, McGregor climbed over the fence and jumped inside the cage. He tackled Ward to celebrate, before harassing referee Marc Goddard. He eventually exited, after pushing Goddard.
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"I sincerely apologize for my behavior at last weekends fight event in Dublin," McGregor wrote on Instagram. "While trying to support a loyal teammate and friend, I let my emotions get the best of me and acted out of line. As a multiple weight UFC champion, executive producer, role model and public figure, I must hold myself to a higher standard."
"The referee Marc Godard was making a horrendous decision in trying to pick an unconscious fighter up off the floor and force the fight to continue into the second round. Even against the wishes of the said fighters coach. The fight was over. After witnessing my fighter in a fight where the worst happened and the opponent passed away from his injuries on the night, I thought the worst was about to happen again, and I lost it and over reacted. I am sorry to everyone. I sincerely apologize to the Director of the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation, Mike Mazzulli, all the officials and staff working the event, Andy Ryan and his fighter John, two stonch ones that put up a great fight every time. That side will always have my respect, and lastly every one of my fans. I love yous all! I've always learned from my mistakes and this will be no different."
McGregor is referring to a fight in 2016 in Dublin, when Portugese fighter Joao Carvalho died after fighting Ward. McGregor was cage-side for that bout.
"It's [expletive] up," McGregor told Men's Health magazine in September of 2016. "I wasn't just watching that fight. I helped train a guy to kill someone, and then someone wound up dying."
"This is a [expletive] dangerous game. People call it a sport, but it's fighting. I'm just making sure it ain't me. And that's [expletive] up."
