Conor McGregor beefed up (Credits: Conor McGregor Twitter)
Conor McGregor and Michael Chiesa settle longstanding legal lawsuit over bus attacks prior to UFC 223
UFC fighters Conor McGregor and Michael Chiesa have settled their lawsuit in Kings County (New York) Supreme Court, four years after the Irishman threw a dolly through the windshield of a bus carrying Chiesa. On Friday, attorneys for McGregor and Chiesa submitted a stipulation of discontinuance with prejudice, which means that their clients have agreed to drop the lawsuit and will not be able to refile it in the future. A source familiar with the lawsuit, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the situation, confirmed to MMA Fighting that a settlement had been reached; the details of the settlement were not disclosed. Chiesa and McGregor’s representatives did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
After the infamous UFC 223 bus attack, Chiesa filed a lawsuit against Conor McGregor, McGregor Sports and Entertainment, the parent company of Madison Square Garden, and others in September 2018. McGregor eventually reached a plea deal and was released from jail. Criminal proceedings were finally wrapped up, but it took another four years of legal wrangling between Chiesa and McGregor’s respective teams to reach a settlement in civil court.
At first, Chiesa filed a lawsuit against McGregor, accusing him of various wrongdoings, including negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and battery. McGregor’s lawyer claimed his client was innocent of any wrongdoing because the Irish star had not intended to harm Chiesa. A judge agreed, at least at first, and limited what could be claimed against McGregor. In a recent ruling, however, an appellate judge reinstated several of the original lawsuit’s claims, including Chiesa’s claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, and ruled that it was appropriate to name MSG as a party to the lawsuit.
With his removal from the UFC roster on Tuesday, Nate Diaz is now a free agent, as confirmed by UFC officials to MMA Fighting. ESPN has officially confirmed the news. Diaz can now negotiate his own fights without interference.
On September 10, Diaz fought Tony Ferguson in his last bout for UFC 279. Diaz’s agent, Zach Rosenfield, claims that the exclusive negotiating period between UFC and Diaz has come to an end. However, UFC fans should not give up on hopes of a trilogy fight according to Diaz’s team.
“We are now going to begin the process of Nate’s free agency,” Rosenfield told ESPN.
“This does not shut the door on Diaz continuing to stay in the UFC,” Diaz’s representative, Zach Rosenfield stated to MMAFighting. “With the pending return of Conor McGregor, that fight still remains extremely appealing to both fans, the promotion, as well as Diaz and McGregor. But what is now clear is that the long-awaited Nathan Diaz free agent sweepstakes has begun.”
Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor engaged in two thrilling contests that went down in the history books of the promotion. At UFC 196, Diaz handed McGregor his first loss under the UFC banner. Five months later in the rematch, ‘The Notorious’ avenged his loss at UFC 202 and went on to face Eddie Alvarez for the double-champ status at UFC 205.
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