Arsenal star Bukayo Saka defends Conor McGregor against criticism for recent "friendly spar" at Emirates Stadium
Following Arsenal’s Champions League victory over PSG, a playful moment between UFC star Conor McGregor and Bukayo Saka sparked controversy. Videos surfaced online showing McGregor engaging in a lighthearted sparring session with the Arsenal forward on the pitch, raising concerns within the club.
The management was reportedly displeased, fearing potential injury to Saka, especially given Arsenal’s packed schedule with Premier League, Champions League, and international commitments.
The incident prompted Arsenal to conduct an internal review to determine how McGregor accessed the field without permission. Potential security protocol changes to prevent similar incidents in the future are being discussed. While the interaction seemed harmless, the club appears keen to avoid any unnecessary risks.
Despite the concerns, Saka defended the Irishman, sharing a photo of the two on social media and emphasizing that it was all in good fun:
"No harm done just a friendly spar 😂"
Conor McGregor shares update on potential return in 2025
Conor McGregor, out of competition since his leg injury at UFC 264 in July 2021, is eyeing a return to the octagon in 2025. After a long layoff, McGregor was initially set to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 following their stint as rival coaches on season 31 of 'The Ultimate Fighter'.
However, a toe injury forced McGregor to withdraw, leading Chandler to accept a fight with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. Speaking to The Schmo, McGregor expressed interest in finally settling his "beef" with Chandler:
"We're looking for the date. Hopefully, I'd like to square it away with Michael Chandler. I'd like to get Chandler in. We've had our beef. It's not settled. He has a match scheduled. I'd like to fight maybe before that - or before he's recovered and what not so there's a few names in line at the minute. There's a few names being discussed."
Check out Conor McGregor's comments below (1:51):