Fighter Conor McGregor Won't Be Prosecuted Over Cell Phone Smash

MIAMI, FL — The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office has dropped charges against martial artist and boxer Conor McGregor in connection with a March cell phone smackdown involving a 22-year-old man from England who tried to snap the fighter's photo as McGregor was leaving LIV Nightclub at the iconic Fontainbleau Hotel in Miami Beach.

Prosecutors cited an inability to reach the victim, who was identified as Ahmed Abdirzak, as the reason for dropping the charges.

"Mr. McGregor, not fond of the photo, slaps Mr. Abdirzak's phone out of his hand, causing it to fall to the floor," according to a close out memo penned by Assistant State Attorney Khalil Madani. "Mr. McGregor then stomps on the phone several times and breaks it all before he picks it up and walks away with Mr. Abdirzak's phone."

The memo said Abdirzak's initial account was corroborated by witnesses and surveillance footage.

"There, in plain view, the viewer can see Mr. McGregor walk up to Mr. Abdirzak and proceed with the very same manner of conduct as initially described by Mr. Abdirzak," the memo said.

Abdirzak repeated his account for prosecutors and even signed an affidavit in which he swore to the facts.

"On April 3, 2019 — two weeks after Mr. Abdirzak came in to sign his sworn affidavit — this prosecutor received an email from Mr. Abdirzak's attorney, Santiago Cueto. Mr. Cueto informs this prosecutor that Mr. Abdirzak 'has been made whole' by Mr. McGregor."

The attorney told the prosecutor that his client had time to reflect on the encounter and no longer believed that McGregor "sought to injure or damage him or his property or permanently or temporarily deprive him of his property." Moreover, the victim left the United States and no longer planned to participate in the criminal proceedings.

"This prosecutor made several attempts to speak with Mr. Abdirzak over the phone and in person without much luck," the memo said. "This prosecutor then reviewed all of the police reports and witness accounts."

The memo said the other witnesses would not be able to testify to the "subjective mindset" of the victim.

"Even if the state were to be able to produce Mr. Abdirzak at trial, he has credibility issues as he's changed his previously sworn testimony," the memo concluded. "Based on the witness's credibility issues, his unwillingness to respond to a subpoena and the inability of the witnesses to testify as to his subjective mindset, the state of Florida cannot prove the charges against Mr. McGregor beyond a reasonable doubt."

The 30-year-old McGregor, who listed his address as a $4.9 million waterfront mansion in Miami Beach at the time of his arrest, had been charged with robbery by sudden snatch and criminal mischief.

"Patience in this world is a virtue I continue to work on," McGregor posted on his Instagram account shortly after the incident. "I love my fans dearly. Thank you all."

In July of 2018, McGregor pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in exchange for community service to settle charges stemming from a backstage tussle at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.

The Irish fighter was ordered to be evaluated for anger management classes and five days of community service at that time after throwing a hand truck into a bus window at the Fort Greene arena.