Conor McGregor, like many others around the world, likely saw the release of Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity on Saturday and could not remain indifferent. The Irish MMA fighter, known for his outspoken nature, criticized pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had waved Hamas and Hezbollah flags in Dublin.
“To raise the flag of a terrorist organization on Irish soil must become a major crime in the eyes of our state. It will not be tolerated nor lauded!” McGregor wrote on social media. “Raise a country flag, off your own person, and off of government buildings, yes, no problem. Raise the flag of radicalized terror organizations off of the same.. Big problem.”
To raise the flag of a terrorist organization on Irish soil must become a major crime in the eyes of our state.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 25, 2025
It will not be tolerated nor lauded!
Raise a country flag, off your own person, and off of government buildings, yes, no problem. Raise the flag of radicalized terror… https://t.co/YWujdjmjle
McGregor’s comments coincided with an MMA event in Dubai, where Usman Nurmagomedov, a mixed martial artist from Dagestan, Russia, defeated Irishman Paul Hughes in a Bellator bout to retain his lightweight world champion title. This comes several years after the October 2018 fight between Dagestani fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov and McGregor, which ended in a violent post-match brawl.
After his victory over Hughes, Nurmagomedov took the microphone and addressed Hughes and the audience, saying: “I just want to say one thing. The tension started because of my side and the other guy [McGregor] before our fight. ... But don’t forget: Ireland is the biggest supporter of Palestine in the world! We love you! You and your government! We’re only rivals in the ring. MMA is about respect. We love you guys because you support our brothers in Palestine.”
McGregor, 36, is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship Featherweight and Lightweight Champion. He is also a former Cage Warriors Fighting Championship Featherweight and Lightweight Champion.
In November 2023, McGregor criticized Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar for his failure to mention Hamas when he wrote about an Irish hostage released by the group, in which Varadkar described Emily Hand, 9, as “an innocent child who was lost.”
Originally published by Israel Hayom.
