MIXED martial arts star Conor McGregor yesterday apologised for his attack on an older man at a Dublin bar, a video of which went viral last week.

In an interview with ESPN, the controversial Irish fighter said he is mortified by his conduct as seen in the clip, which showed him punching the man apparently unprovoked.

“I was in the wrong. That man deserved to enjoy his time at the pub without having it end the way it did.

“I must come here before you and take accountability and take responsibility. I owe it to the people who have been supporting me. I owe it to my mother, my father, my family. I owe it to the people who trained me in martial arts. That’s not who I am.”

The incident is being investigated by police, and McGregor said he is ready to accept any punishment meted out.

“Whatever comes my way, I will face it. Whatever comes my way, I deserve it. I will face this head-on. I will not hide from it. I was in the wrong. It was completely unacceptable behaviour for a man in my position.”

The 31-year-old added that he is keen to return to fighting, despite announcing his retirement in March.

“I must get my head screwed on and just get back in the game and fight for redemption, retribution, respect – the things that made me the man I am.

“And, that’s what I will do.”

McGregor has not fought since being battered into submission by arch-rival Khabib Nurmagomedov last October.

However, he insisted that he is ready to make a comeback, despite his lengthy lay-off.

“Mine is going to be the greatest (comeback) of all.” – AFP, August 23, 2019.