UFC superstar turned boxer Conor McGregor on Friday responded to claims his life had been threatened after a bar brawl with a man linked to the Irish underworld.
The 29-year-old McGregor, who fought (and lost to) Floyd Mayweather in the richest boxing bout in history in August, was rumoured tohave punched a man twice in the face - whose relative had links to the feared Kinahan drugs gang.
Reports emerged on social media the gang were seeking compensation of €900,000 (NZ$1,567,152) from McGregor and that he was under serious threat.
McGregor, who was said to have fled the Black Forge Inn where the fight occurred and gone into hiding while a truce was arranged, appeared in the Blanchardstown District Court in Dublin on a charge of speeding on Friday (NZT).
He responded to journalists' questions on the reported threats as he left the court building saying, 'Come and get me' before speeding off in his luxury car.
McGregor's father Tony earlier said claims that his son had been in the brawl were "absolute nonsense".
He insisted no one was after them and his family have "nothing to fear".
"We have nothing to fear here whatsoever. There's no one after us for anything," Tony McGregor told the Irish Mirror.
"It's an absolute nonsense story. It's grown legs and it's getting that ridiculous – it's become funny.
"We're a law-abiding family and we've stayed a law-abiding family".
Meanwhile, a judge accused McGregor of giving the court the "fingers" after earlier failing to appear for a third time to face his £350 (NZ$690) speeding fine.
McGregor pleaded guilty to breaking a 100kmh speed limit in Dubai on March 13.
He was given two months to pay and could do so in instalments despite his huge cash-in from the Mayweather fight.
