MMA

Conor McGregor uses White House visit to hit out at Irish government over immigration

Published

33 minutes ago

March 17, 2025

Conor McGregor uses White House visit to hit out at Irish government over immigration

Conor McGregor used his visit to the White House on St. Patrick’s Day to voice his concerns about immigration in Ireland, calling for support from the United States.

The former UFC champion, who has become increasingly vocal on political issues in recent years, accused the Irish government of neglecting its citizens and allowing rural towns to be “overrun” by illegal immigration.

During his visit, McGregor addressed what he described as a “travesty” in Ireland. “I’m here to raise the issues the people of Ireland face,” he said. “Our government has long since abandoned the voices of the people of Ireland, and it’s high time that America is made aware of what is going on in Ireland.”

McGregor criticized the Irish government for spending money on overseas issues instead of addressing domestic problems. “The illegal immigration racket is running ravage on the country,” he claimed. “There are rural towns in Ireland that have been overrun in one swoop, that have become a minority in one swoop.”

He also emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between Ireland and the US, referring to the two nations as “siblings.” McGregor added, “We wish to be taken care of by the big bro; the US should look after its little bro. That’s how we feel.”

McGregor’s Controversial Stance

McGregor’s comments come amid ongoing debates about immigration in Ireland. Last November, he was accused of stoking tensions during riots in Dublin following a stabbing attack on a group of children.

McGregor condemned the violence but expressed understanding of the public’s frustrations, calling for government action to address the root causes of such unrest.

Conor McGregor tells the White House press room he’s in Washington to ‘raise the issues the people of Ireland face’ pic.twitter.com/nzpc4eDCid
— The Mac Life (@TheMacLife) March 17, 2025

In January, McGregor attended the inauguration of former US President Donald Trump, who has praised the fighter as his “favourite Irish person.” McGregor’s alignment with Trump’s views on immigration and governance has further fueled his political activism.

McGregor’s visit to the White House also comes as he faces legal challenges. In November 2024, a civil-court jury found him liable for raping a woman in Dublin in 2018.

McGregor denied the allegations and vowed to appeal the verdict, which required him to pay over £200,000 in damages.

Despite his controversies, McGregor remains a prominent figure in Ireland and beyond.

His outspoken nature and willingness to address contentious issues have kept him in the spotlight, even as his fighting career remains on hold following a leg injury in 2021.

A Call for Change

McGregor’s White House appearance underscores his growing role as a political commentator.

Whether his criticisms will lead to tangible change in Ireland remains to be seen, but his influence on public discourse is undeniable. As he continues to advocate for his vision of a “peaceful, happy, prosperous” Ireland, McGregor’s actions will likely remain a topic of debate both at home and abroad.

MMA

UFC 313: UK Start Time & Pereira vs. Ankalaev Title Fight Preview

Published

1 week ago

March 8, 2025

Alex Wallace

UFC 313: UK Start Time & Pereira vs. Ankalaev Title Fight Preview

Alex Pereira is set to defend his light heavyweight title against the in-form Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 this evening, March 8th.

The Brazilian champion, now holding the second title of his career, initially made his mark in the middleweight division back in 2022.

However, his reign at 185 pounds was short-lived as he lost the rematch to Israel Adesanya just five months later.

Following that setback, Pereira moved up to light heavyweight, where he has remained undefeated.

Since claiming the title with a victory over Jiri Prochazka, he has successfully defended it against Jamahal Hill and once again in a rematch with Prochazka.

However, he faces a tough challenge in Magomed Ankalaev, who is on a 13-fight unbeaten streak. The Russian has been steadily working his way toward title contention with recent wins over Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic. With both fighters in peak form, this matchup promises fireworks.

UFC 313 Main Card – Gaethje Returns to Action

The event isn’t just about the light heavyweight title; Justin Gaethje is also back in action in the lightweight division.

The former interim champion was originally scheduled to face Dan Hooker in a five-round co-headliner, but Hooker suffered a hand injury and had to withdraw.

Instead, Gaethje will now take on Rafael Fiziev in a three-round bout, marking a rematch of their thrilling clash at UFC 286.

Alex Pereira & Magomed Ankalaev’s pro MMA records (as of 08/03/25)
	Alex Pereira	Magomed Ankalaev
Fights	14	22
Wins	12	19
Losses	2	1
Draws	0	1
No contests	0	1

In their previous meeting, Gaethje secured a majority decision victory over the Azerbaijani fighter, and Fiziev will be eager to settle the score.

Here's how the #UFC313 headliners measure up! 📏

[ B2YB @DrinkMonaco ] pic.twitter.com/zZdIMNKxG8
— UFC (@ufc) March 4, 2025

Heavyweight Clash Scrapped Due to Injury

UFC 313 was also expected to feature a heavyweight bout between Jhonata Diniz and Vitor Petrino, but injuries have once again reshaped the card.

Petrino has been forced to withdraw due to lateral epicondylitis in both elbows, and with no replacement found in time, the fight has been removed from the event entirely.

With title implications, high-stakes rematches, and top-tier talent in action, UFC 313 is shaping up to be a must-watch event for fight fans worldwide.

Fight fans in the UK will need to prepare for a late night or an early morning as UFC 313 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The event, home to high-stakes matchups, will see Alex Pereira defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in what promises to be an electrifying showdown.

Fight Card Changes – Bantamweight to Featherweight Switch

Originally, a bantamweight clash between Chris Gutierrez and undefeated prospect Jean Matsumoto was scheduled for the event.

However, Matsumoto was pulled from the card to serve as a replacement fighter against Rob Font at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song. To fill the vacancy, John Castaneda has stepped in, and the fight will now take place at featherweight instead of bantamweight.

UFC 313 UK Start Times – Set Your Alarms!

For UK viewers, the event will run into the early hours of Sunday morning. Here’s a breakdown of the timings:

Early Prelims – Start at 11pm UK time (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET on Saturday)
Prelims – Expected to begin at 1am UK time (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday)
Main Card – Set for 3am UK time (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET on Saturday)
Pereira vs. Ankalaev Title Fight – Predicted to start around 5am UK time on Sunday morning

However, fight times can shift if earlier bouts finish ahead of schedule, so fans setting alarms for the main event should be cautious. The fight will likely begin no later than 5am.

Where to Watch UFC 313

UK viewers can watch all the action live on TNT Sports, with streaming available via the Discovery+ app. In the United States, fans can catch the event on ESPN.

With title implications, last-minute fight changes, and top-tier matchups, UFC 313 is shaping up to be another memorable night in the octagon.

MMA

Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2 – A Test of Durability

Published

1 week ago

March 8, 2025

Alex Wallace

Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2 – A Test of Durability

Justin Gaethje is set to face Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight rematch at UFC 313, stepping in after Dan Hooker withdrew due to a hand injury.

Their first encounter in 2023 saw Gaethje edge out a majority decision win, but both fighters have something to prove this time around.

Gaethje is coming off a tough knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, where he surrendered his BMF title. Meanwhile, Fiziev has fought just once since their last meeting, suffering a defeat to Mateusz Gamrot.

With both men looking to bounce back, fighters and analysts are weighing in on how this rematch could unfold especially whether Fiziev can test Gaethje’s chin after his recent setback.