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UFC fighter turned Israel activist?

'Not in my Ireland': Conor McGregor demolishes Pro-Hamas Protesters as Khabib Controversy erupts

UFC legend Conor McGregor has unleashed his fury on his own homeland, slamming pro-Hamas demonstrations in Ireland and calling for criminal charges against protesters. The MMA superstar's explosive comments come just as his arch-rival Khabib surprisingly praised Ireland – but McGregor wasn't having any of it.

Gila Isaacson
Gila Isaacson
2 min read
UFC and MMA fighter, Conor "The Notorious" McGregor at the Irish premiere of the documentary about his rise within the ranks of MMA fighting
Photo: Shutetrstock / G Holland

Mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor has unleashed a fierce critique of pro-Hamas demonstrations in Ireland, igniting a heated debate about the intersection of political activism and national identity in his homeland.

The former UFC champion took to social media platform X to demand stricter regulations against displaying symbols of terror organizations on Irish soil. "To raise the flag of a terrorist organization on Irish soil must become a major crime in the eyes of our state," McGregor declared, drawing a sharp distinction between legitimate national expression and what he considers dangerous extremism. "It will not be tolerated nor lauded!"

The controversy intensified when McGregor's former rival, Russian fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov, praised Ireland's pro-Palestinian stance following a recent match. "Ireland is the biggest supporter in the world for Palestine," Nurmagomedov remarked after his cousin's victory over Irish fighter Paul Hughes, attempting to bridge the gap between their past animosity and current political dynamics.

This latest clash follows McGregor's previous criticism of Irish officials' handling of the Emily Hand case. When the Irish-Israeli child was released from captivity in Gaza during a November 2023 ceasefire, McGregor publicly challenged what he viewed as diplomatic euphemism in official statements. Rather than accepting the government's careful phrasing that Hand had been "found," McGregor insisted on explicitly acknowledging her abduction by Hamas during the October 7 attack.

The fighter's outspoken stance highlights growing tensions within Ireland over the Middle East conflict, as the country grapples with balancing its traditional support for Palestinian causes against concerns about extremism. Recent demonstrations in Dublin, where protesters displayed Hamas and Hezbollah flags, have brought these divisions into sharp relief.

The Dublin protests have exposed a raw nerve in Irish society, with McGregor's blunt condemnation standing in stark contrast to Ireland's traditionally pro-Palestinian stance. His scathing rebuke of both protesters and government officials - particularly over their handling of child victims - has sparked furious debate on social media. While Nurmagomedov attempts to paint Ireland's position in a positive light, McGregor's unflinching response makes one thing clear: he won't pull punches in this fight, whether in the octagon or the court of public opinion.

Jewish Breaking News contributed to this article.


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