Conor McGregor’s bail set as court appearance looms, and it’s good news for the UFC star

The UFC’s lightweight champion handed himself into police custody in the early hours of the morning after taking part in a melee at the UFC 223 media day in Brooklyn, New York.

The fracas saw McGregor and his entourage swarm a bus carrying fighters, including Khabib Nurmagomedov,and attacked it with various objects.

McGregor, 29, was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief.

A few hours ago, ‘The Notorious’ was escorted to the Brooklyn courthouse, where he is expected to enter his plea later today.

And according to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, McGregor’s bail has been set for $50,000 (£35,000).

“Conor McGregor’s bail has been set for 50k, sources confirm,” he tweeted.

McGregor’s team-mate Cian Cowley, who was also involved in the fracas, has had his bail set at £17,500 ($25,000).

Helwani tweeted: “Cian Cowley’s bail has been set for 25k.”

Most importantly for McGregor, he will not have his passport seized, meaning he will be free to return to Ireland.

McGregor, 29, defended his involvement in the brawl, which saw him through a dolley through a bus window, in a text message exchange with UFC president Dana White.

“Conor and I talked through text yesterday,” White said during an appearance on First Things First.

“Obviously the worst conversation we’ve ever had. We talked yesterday before he turned himself in.

When asked if McGregor didn’t understand what happened, White added: “No I don’t believe he did.

“It’s not that I don’t think he understood what happened, he justified it. It was justified to him.

“(He said), ‘Listen, I’m sorry about Mike and I’m sorry about Rose and whoever else might’ve (been hurt), whatever.

"But this had to be done.”