Conor McGregor has apologised on Facebook to fans disappointed after an event in Dublin’s The Wright Venue last night.
The event was advertised as a Q&A with McGregor and other fighters, with general tickets priced at €25 and VIP tickets from €37.
.@TheNotoriousMMA & team will takeover @TheWrightVenue tonight from 6pm, have you got your ticket yet? https://t.co/MDPWQUY07P
— The Takeover 2015 (@takeover_2015) October 19, 2015
McGregor received praise last week when he announced he would donate €50,000 from the proceeds of it and other events around the country to homeless charities.
The Dublin event did not match many fans expectations, with a number of complaints online about the event.
1hr Q outside. 1.5hr wait inside. 40min Q&A Another hr Q to be told McGregor/SBG had left. Explain @takeover_2015 please. Disappointed.
— MMA ECHO (@MMAEcho) October 19, 2015
@takeover_2015 where can we get a refund after you're horrific excuse of a night? Bitterly disappointed
— Sean O'Brien (@SOBrien18) October 20, 2015
Fans said they endured queues and a long wait at the venue before the fighters appeared, and said the event itself lasted less than an hour.
Other fans who had purchased VIP tickets were under the impression that they would get the chance to meet the UFC star and were bitterly disappointed to find out he had left the building.
@TheNotoriousMMA @NobbyFM104 @JimJimNugent shame on you I saw kids crying when u left your a joke We put u there shame on u 2 night
— Stephen Whelan (@stephenwhelan10) October 19, 2015
@TheNotoriousMMA @takeover_2015 poorly organised event. Queued for 1hr with VIP tickets & told Conor had left. Bad form to leave your fans
— Emma-Jane Carroll (@EmsieJane) October 19, 2015
Faced with the criticism, McGregor issued a statement, saying he was ‘really disappointed’ to hear fans were upset, but adding that it had been ‘an intense few days’.
He said: “I apologize to those who feel let down with the final event.
“I done the events with good intention but on the final event there must have been a miscommunication from the organizer to the fans with what the event was.
“I am being told they are reaching out to people now to make amends.
“Anyway, it has been a crazy few days for me. Roads travelled. Fans met. Pictures signed. Money raised.
“Now I am done until after my fight. Please respect that I am in training now.”
His apology met with a mixed response on Facebook, with some praising the effort McGregor went to with fans while others remained angry.