VIDEO | Should Conor McGregor be thankful his NSAC fine was only $150,000?

https://youtu.be/j3WQo3klFlE

“I get fined more than these bums get paid,” tweeted UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor on Monday following his hearing with Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

I get fined more than these bums get paid

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 10, 2016

McGregor is basically right. Most fighters that compete in the UFC aren’t making close to $150,000 per fight, which is what “The Notorious” was fined for his water bottle fiasco against Nate Diaz and his team during the UFC 202 pre-fight press conference.

However, despite the hefty fine and 50 hours of community service, the NSAC had the right to be much more harsh with their penalties for the incident.

McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar, spoke with ESPN on Tuesday night about the hearing and fine on McGregor.

“Well, first off, nobody likes to get fined, Coach, as I’m sure you and I can both agree. The fact is the Commission, based on the statute, had the right to fine him 100% of his purse, suspend him and also include charitable efforts,” Attar said.

“Our first concern was really ensuring that he was not going to be suspended. As you mentioned, we have a fight a month away. UFC 205, Madison Square Garden – historical night, where once Conor wins that fight he will be the first to hold two belts at the same time in UFC history.

“Second concern was to ensure that we were to limit that fine. The Commission stated that they have a formulaic approach whereby fining athletes about 10-15% of their purse. As you mentioned earlier, this was the highest purse in UFC history, so we were able to get them to agree with us that 5% was the right number and even of that 5% half of that was going towards a public service announcement.

“So, ultimately nobody likes to get fined, but we’re happy we can move past that and focus on UFC 205.”

Attar was asked for clarification if McGregor was going to file an appeal the NSAC’s punishment.

“We’re gonna actually share all the information with Conor and let him know his rights and make that decision but everything has happened just as of yesterday. So, right now we’re just trying to focus on the next task at hand, which is UFC 205.”