Conor McGregor knocks down Paulie Malignaggi in sparring in leaked footage from UFC boss Dana White
Irish UFC Champ insists that his former sparring partner was 'looking for a way out' and was 'badly concussed'.
UFC president Dana White has unveiled a video proving what really happened in the fallout between Conor McGregor and sparring partner Paulie Malignaggi.
Malignaggi furiously quit the training camp after an image was released on McGregor's Instagram making out he was knocked down during a sparring session.
The 36-year-old insisted he was pushed down and didn't fall to the canvas after being caught with a series of punches.
But White's leaked footage appears to show Malignaggi take left hook to the face before being hit several more times.
He eventually falls to the ground where McGregor then stands over him.
The UFC champ spoke of his version of events at a public workout in Las Vegas and revealed Malignaggi quit because he was "flattened" and was "badly concussed."
He said: "He was looking for an exit. The spars were not good for him. He took a lot of head trauma. Straight after it, we were worried.
"He was knocked down, he was flattened against the ropes. Multiple times the ropes kept him on his feet.
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"We were worried about him. We thought the worst was about to happen. He was certainly badly concussed. And then he just got out and went running.
"He showed up, he tried his best. It didn’t go his way. He got his ass whupped, he got his pride dented and then he wanted a way out.
"What better way for a guy like him to exit under a load of questions and mysterious [circumstances]. You know what I mean? Under a lot of questions."
Malignaggi had labelled McGregor as a "scumbag" and "one of the biggest dirtbags I've ever met".
But McGregor says he still respects the former WBA welterweight champ.
He added: "I don’t mind Paulie. He came in, he spoke a hell of a game previous, very disrespectful to the skill set, very disrespectful to the discipline.
"But no matter what a man says, if they show up and try to answer that and try their best, you’ve gotta give respect. And that’s what happened."