Conor McGregor: UFC fighter accused of breaking nose of Italian DJ Francesco Facchinetti - what happened?

DJ and host of the Italian X Factor Francesco Facchinetti has claimed that Conor McGregor broke his nose in an ‘unprovoked’ attack
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Conor McGregor, also known as The Notorious, is one of the biggest names in the fighting world. Following a visit to Italy, the UFC champ has been accused of punching a famous DJ in an “unprovoked” attack, breaking his nose.

This is everything you need to know about what happened.

What happened?

The Irish fighter has been accused of punching an Italian DJ in Rome, breaking his nose.

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Francesco Facchinetti is a famous DJ, with more than a million followers on Instagram. He has hosted four seasons of the Italian X Factor, and has served as a judge on the Italian version of The Voice.

He claimed to have crossed paths with McGregor at a party, after the UFC star had his son baptised in the Vatican on Saturday.

Francesco Facchinetti attending Casa Azzurri in Milan on October 05, 2021 in Milan, Italy (Photo: Vincenzo Lombardo/Getty Images)Francesco Facchinetti attending Casa Azzurri in Milan on October 05, 2021 in Milan, Italy (Photo: Vincenzo Lombardo/Getty Images)
Francesco Facchinetti attending Casa Azzurri in Milan on October 05, 2021 in Milan, Italy (Photo: Vincenzo Lombardo/Getty Images)

Facchinetti says that the punch was unprovoked, and that the two had enjoyed their time together throughout the night.

In an Instagram video, translated from Italian, Fancchinetti said: “At 2:30 this night, I was attacked by Mr McGregor.

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“The very famous McGregor, who punched me in the mouth, broke my nose in front of 10 witnesses, his friends and bodyguards. He attacked me without motivation as we talked for more than two hours and we also had fun together.

“I could have shut up and not said anything to anyone, but since I’m here to tell it, I must say that that person is really violent and dangerous.”

Speaking to Italian newspaper Il Massagero, Facchinetti explained that he plans to sue McGregor over the attack.

“I took a punch for nothing. That punch could go to anyone. My friends, my wife, or other friends. That’s why I decided to sue Conor McGregor because he is a violent and dangerous person,” he said.

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Facchinetti’s wife, Wilma, also posted on Instagram about the incident.

Conor McGregor poses during a ceremonial weigh in for UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Conor McGregor poses during a ceremonial weigh in for UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Conor McGregor poses during a ceremonial weigh in for UFC 264 at T-Mobile Arena on July 09, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

She said: “Luckily, [Francesco] was very close so [McGregor] couldn’t load up on his punch.

“Francesco flew back, fell on the table, and then on the ground. The first thing that came to mind was “are we kidding? Is it a show?” Then, I was paralyzed.

“I turned around and saw that his friends were holding him against the wall because he wanted to continue beating Francesco. Then they took him away.

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“I turned on the light and the guards turned them off. Francesco was bleeding. I wanted to help him and the guards chased us away.”

Has Conor McGregor said anything?

As it stands, McGregor has not commented on the situation with Facchinetti.

Recently, McGregor got into another public altercation with musician Machine Gun Kelly, at the MTV VMA awards in Brooklyn, New York.

According to reports, McGregor asked for a photo with MGK and the rapper declined. McGregor didn’t take kindly to the rejection and became visibly annoyed about the situation.

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MGK, dressed in a sparkly red suit, shoved McGregor, dressed in a bright pink suit, and he spilled his drink.

Conor McGregor speaks onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)Conor McGregor speaks onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)
Conor McGregor speaks onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards (Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)

McGregor then threw the rest of his drink in the direction of MGK, who was standing with his girlfriend, Megan Fox.

Fox got in between the two and attempted to split the brawl up, security from the event then stepped in to break up the two before a fight broke out.

After the altercation, McGregor told Entertainment Weekly: “Absolutely nothing happened. I don’t know. He showed up, and I don’t know. I don’t know the guy.

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“Nothing happened with me, I only fight real fighters, people that actually fight, you know what I mean? I certainly don’t fight little vanilla boy rappers. I don’t even know the guy. I don’t know anything about him, except that he’s with Megan Fox.”

The MMA fighter’s representatives also denied that he had asked for a photo with MGK.

Who is Conor McGregor?

McGregor is an Irish UFC fighter who goes by the name The Notorious. He has competed in Featherweight, Lightweight and Welterweight divisions, and currently holds 22 wins and four losses.

He made his mixed martial arts debut in 2007 at the age of 18, against Kieran Campbell where McGregor won via technical knockout in the first round. After the fight commenced, McGregor turned pro, and was signed by the Irish Cage of Truth promotion.

Conor McGregor attempts a kick against Dustin Poirier in the first round in their lightweight bout (Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Conor McGregor attempts a kick against Dustin Poirier in the first round in their lightweight bout (Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Conor McGregor attempts a kick against Dustin Poirier in the first round in their lightweight bout (Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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The following year in 2008, he made his first professional MMA debut as a lightweight against Gary Morris, then in 2013 made his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut.

In June 2017, McGregor competed in his first professional boxing match against the undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. The match ended with Mayweather earning a technical knockout in the 10th round.

McGregor is currently recovering from a broken leg after his left tibia and fibula were shattered during a fight with Dustin Poirier.

What is his net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, McGregor holds a net worth of $200 million, which is roughly equivalent to £145,438,000.

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The site explains that his net worth includes the roughly $100 million he earned from his 2017 fight with Mayweather, the $50 million from his 2018 fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov, and the estimated $200 million pre-tax earnings from the April 2021 sale of his whiskey brand, Proper No. 12.

In 2021, he was ranked by Forbes as the world’s highest paid athlete, reportedly earning $180 million.

Is he married?

McGregor isn’t currently married, but is engaged to Dee Devlin, whom he has been in a relationship with since 2008.

The two have three children together, Conor Jr, Croía and Rían.

Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin attend his birthday celebration at Intrigue Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas (Photo: David Becker/Getty Images  for Wynn Las Vegas)Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin attend his birthday celebration at Intrigue Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas (Photo: David Becker/Getty Images  for Wynn Las Vegas)
Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin attend his birthday celebration at Intrigue Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas (Photo: David Becker/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas)
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Like McGregor, Devlin is also Irish and comes from Dublin. She quit her job to support the UFC fighter, and she was even hired officially as part of his team and put in charge of finances.

In 2017, speaking to the Irish Mirror, McGregor said: “My girlfriend worked very hard throughout the years and stuck by me when I had essentially nothing.

“For me to be able to take her out of work, give her everything she’s ever wanted and to travel the world with, fills me with pride.”

Speaking to ESPN, Devlin said: “I definitely try to help him out all the time, even without realising it - especially around a fight because it’s such a tough time with his weight.

“I cook, clean, pack his gym bag, all that kind of stuff.”

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