Now that the dust has settled on Conor McGregor's explosive Brooklyn cameo and UFC 223 is in the books - we've been trying to make sense of the past few days.
Here are some OTB AM NY takeaways...
1. Dana's climbdown
"[McGregor incident] doesn't look good... but at the end of the day there's a lot worse that goes on in other sports so I'll take a dolly through the window any day." pic.twitter.com/eikE7CchAQ
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) April 8, 2018
During his post-fight press conference at the Barclay's Centre, Dana White described a conversation which he'd had with McGregor as "Good," adding, "I think that there’s a mutual respect between us."
That was a significant upgrade from his initial description of the bus incident as the, "most disgusting thing that has ever happened in the history of the company," and his description of his conversation with the Irish fighter on the day of the melee:
"Conor and I talked through text yesterday. Obviously, the worst conversation we've ever had. But we talked yesterday before he turned himself in," he told FS1.
While he refused to speculate as to when and whether McGregor will return to the octagon, it seems that no bridges have been burnt.
2. Khabib Will Fight
The Russian now holds the undisputed 155lb strap and has been calling out McGregor and GSP (while telling his original UFC 223 opponent, the injured now-former interim champion Tony Ferguson he'll need to fight his way back into title contention).
"I want to fight GSP in Madison Square Garden!" - @TeamKhabib #UFC223 pic.twitter.com/CgiZYB0hlf
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 8, 2018
After having 5 different opponents lined up for him as the UFC scrambled to replace Ferguson, Khabib was open to all comers and agreed to fight anyone put in front of him.
Given the heat now-added to a potential Khabib v McGregor fight it's hard to imagine him saying no to a showdown with the Dubliner.
He's said that his preference is to defend his title in New York in November.
3. The New Money Fight
If legal issues (or any other issues) don't get in the way of this bout, it will undoubtedly be the biggest fight which the sport has seen, given McGregor's cross-over star power and Khabib's massive Russian fanbase.
Last week's drama, the loss of his belt, probably legal costs relating to the skirmish, and the massive payday which a fight with Nurmagomedov would present may just give McGregor the motivation he needs to get back in the cage.
4. Fighters are pissed off
While the bus attack looked like something out of a straight-to-DVD gangster film, Ashley Evan Smith - who fought and won at UFC 223 - spoke to Severe MMA and Off The Ball's Niall McGrath and offered a stark reminder of the damage done by McGregor:
5. Worrying trend
Niall also spoke with 'Irish' Joseph Duffy, he said that he's been worried by the actions of his former-foe, noting that his behaviour has become increasingly erratic.
The fighter added that he hopes that this latest incident will get McGregor back on the straight and narrow.
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