Cris Cyborg's former rival is arrested for assaulting police officers on a plane.

Fighter Sinead Kavanagh (right) resists action by two Civil Guards on a plane in Spain — Photo: Reproduction/X

PUBLICITY:

Fighter Sinead Kavanagh, 39, caused a major commotion last Monday (24). Conor McGregor 's training partner and former rival of Cris Cyborg was arrested after starting a fight on board a Ryanair flight that was to depart from Gran Canaria, Spain, bound for Dublin, Ireland.

According to information released by the Spanish newspaper Marca, Kavanagh allegedly caused disturbances before takeoff, requiring the intervention of the Civil Guard. When approached by officers, the athlete resisted arrest and assaulted two policemen, as shown in videos circulating on social media (see below).

AUGC DENUNCIA | ¡VENDIDOS EN GANDO!

​From the inherited Civil Guards behind stopping a professional MMA fighter.

❌ 0️⃣ TÁSER at the airport.
❌ SIN vehículo mampara.
❌ Agresora LIBRE, BAJA agents.

¿Y say we are NOT #ProfesiónDeRiesgo?

We are the only one… pic.twitter.com/dpL515v9jj

— AUGC Guardia Civil (@AUGC_Comunica) November 25, 2025

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In the images, it is possible to see the fighter striking the officers, who had difficulty restraining her. After being immobilized, Sinead was detained and spent the night in jail at the airport in the Spanish city. On Tuesday (25), she was granted provisional release, but will be investigated for the crimes of bodily harm and assault against authority.

The two police officers involved in the incident suffered injuries and have been removed from their duties for recovery, according to local media reports.

Who is Sinead Kavanagh?

S. Kavanagh put on a show of resilience at Bellator 275. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

PUBLICITY:

Sinead Kavanagh is one of the leading representatives of women's MMA in Ireland. A member of the SBG Ireland team — the same team as Conor McGregor — she previously fought for the Bellator featherweight title against Brazilian Cris Cyborg in 2021.

Her last fight was in 2024, when she was submitted by Arlene Blencowe. Currently, her professional record stands at nine wins and seven losses.

The incident on the Ryanair flight generated a great deal of repercussion on social media and in the sports media, raising questions about the athlete's future in the international MMA scene.

Cris Cyborg is the Bellator featherweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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