Conor McGregor believes he was right to kick off a crazy fight that got him charged with assault

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April 6, 2018 2:21 PM

Conor McGregor and UFC boss Dana White exchanged text messages.

Conor McGregor believes he was justified in starting a wild fight that ended with him being charged with assault, according to the most senior official in his sport.

UFC president Dana White said he had spoken with McGregor via text just before the Irish fighter turned himself in to police.

Speaking on Fox Sports 1 show "First Things First," White claimed McGregor told him: "This had to be done."

The incident saw him storm a UFC press conference on Thursday night, throw guard rails at a bus carrying UFC fighters, and smash a window.

The NYPD charged him with three counts of assault and one of criminal mischief early on Friday morning.

White said: "Conor I talked through texts yesterday, it was the worst conversation we ever had. We talked before he turned himself in. I don't believe he [understood what happened] but he justified it, it was justified to him."

The attack left two fighters — Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg — requiring medical treatment. Borg suffered an eye injury multiple cuts to the face

White said McGregor told him he was "sorry" about Chiesa and Rose Namajunas, the women's strawweight champion who was upset over the ordeal, but stressed, somewhat chillingly that the attack "had to be done."

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