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IRISH MIXED MARTIAL arts fighter Conor McGregor has been named as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people.
The UFC star was listed as a ‘Pioneer’, with movie star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger writing an entry about his influence.
The Dublin native shot to fame over the past few years in the UFC. His string of high-profile victories and brash, cocky out-of-ring style cementing his reputation early on as one of the best.
He is currently the UFC’s reigning lightweight champion, and may soon fight boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather in a high-profile upcoming bout.
Speaking on the entry on Time’s 100 most influential people in the world, Schwarzenegger said:
“Conor McGregor is more than a fighter, more than an athlete, more than a champion—although, as the first person in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship to hold titles in two weight divisions at once, he is clearly all of those things.
Conor is also the rare personality who has become bigger than his sport. That lean, compact body must struggle to keep his enormous character inside.
From the first time I met Conor, I knew he wasn’t the type of star you could box into one category. Since I’ve gotten to know him, I can tell you that what you see on the screen—the now familiar face of mixed martial arts—just scratches the surface.
The Dublin native is razor-sharp, disciplined and charismatic. His energy is absolutely contagious, to the point where you almost start shouting in an Irish accent after 30 seconds of hearing that world-famous mouth.
Conor has a fire in his belly that can’t be quenched with championship belts. There are no brakes that can stop his engine.
Other entries on the list were entered under the headings of ‘Titans’, ‘Artists’, ‘Leaders’ and ‘Icons’.
Notable people included author Margaret Atwood, Basketball star LeBron James, musician Alicia Keys and Ivanka Trump.
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I’ve never heard such disrespect from the people of Ireland. He’s a champion, he’s fought proudly with the Irish flag behind him, Irish fans behind him. He’s fought the corner of other fighters outside of MMA and he’s never been recognised in Ireland for his achievements.
Anyone else who wins a world title in Ireland is greeted to a great reception on their return to Ireland; Olympians, Boxers, Rowers, Rugby, Football etc. etc. however, we simply ignore McGregor and his conquests?
Running your mouth is a big part of the MMA game, and he does it very well.
As an Irish person, I’m very proud of all we achieve in sports, at any event. And I’m very proud of McGregor, along with the Irish football team, Rugby, Rowing, Katie Taylor, the Irish Women’s Football Team and any other sport we excel in.
Good for him! I’m delighted for him!
@Eugene Tyson: Yes running your mouth is part of the sport in the run up to the match, but he doesn’t stop and people are getting tired of him. If you look at likes of Bono and Bob Geldof, they made a fortunes for themselves have fans around the world, they were influential in the music world during their prime, but because they’ve become preachy and sanctimonious and arrogant peopled have gotten fed up of them and don’t show them any recognition either.
@Darren Tully: lol
@Eugene Tyson: Sorry Eugene he is a mindless thug in a sport that should be banned.
@Brendan Keegan: You’re welcome to your opinion, as others would be of the opinion that Boxing, or Wrestling, or Judo should be banned too. But they’re not banned, and until then, he’s a sporting legend, a champion, and influential.
@Eugene Tyson: Maybe even Tae Kwon Do (at the Olympics) which is pretty fast with lots of head contact with kicks to the head.
@Eugene Tyson: Paul Brady has five world titles and very few recognise it
@alpha_chaarlie: Quite a few people by the looks of it. What have you ever done?
Love him or hate him, you have got to respect what he has achieved for himself.
do I?
Only thing that’s inflated at a greater rate than his bank account is his ego.. No longer the “working class” hero, now and example of letting money and fame go to your head in the trashiest most Chav way possible..
And soon his ability in the ring will fade and get by-passed by his mouth as he shrinks back into obscurity..
1) When did he ever claim to be a “working class” hero? You just made that up.
2) He doesn’t care if he “shrinks back into obscurity” – he only cares about money & being able to provide for his family – not fame. He specifically said he doesn’t want any attention on his baby when he/she is born, and that the fame means nothing to him because it’s all fake & none of it matters.
So do you actually have any valid point here? You’re just disputing things you invented in your own head.
He’s a fighter, a self-promoter, and a money earner – and damn good at all 3.
@Ryan Comiskey: Well said….,
@Ryan Comiskey: McGregor fanboi’s sounding a bit butt hurt at peoples views eh?
@Dub_Right: how about to reply to my post? You slagged him off based on stuff you made up. I just corrected you, Duh_Right.
@alpha_chaarlie: grand you can dislike the man but to call him a junkie says more about you than him
I’ll say one thing about McGregor, he may not have class but he does have – deh best fans in deh wurldid
@alpha_chaarlie: jealousy is a bitter drug.
Hugely impressive athlete in the octagon. Pain in the face outside of it. The idea of him influencing the behaviour of a generation in anything other than sporting dedication is depressing.
Mc Gregory’s supporters from the crumlin branch of Mensa is out in force.
Neanderthals love him – intellectuals read books.
@Jack Cassady: he’s the Cock Rock of music
Warriors read books. And Neanderthals were at least as smart as most of us with bigger muscles and look what happened to them an all
@alpha_chaarlie: so thats your logic
Will he ever defend a title in the UFC? It’s ridiculous at this stage.
@Eamonn Sheen: technically he defended the interim title against aldo
@Gareth: Oh go away out of it lol
What a self important little runt. I actually grew to hate him. And embarrassing prik. I hope if he is thick enough to get into a ring with Mayweather he gets what is long over due.
conor is a fine athlete and an inspiration to many young men ,he is also celebrity and a great marketeer for three piece suits
OK, but what was it that he said that influenced what?
@alpha_chaarlie: haters gonna hate, losers gonna lose!!!!
He told his biitch Chuck Norris to go round and tell them they’d no choice. Now that’s influence.
The courage he displays is what makes him unlike the modern Irish. He runs into his fear to conquer it. Much respect to the young man.
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