Ireland’s MMA Image: A Mix of Pride and Problem

Will Fleury, a former teammate of Conor McGregor, talks about how the Irish fighter has shaped people’s views on mixed‑martial arts. He says that when McGregor praised him for winning two titles in the European promotion OKTAGON, he was taken aback. Fleury’s friendship with McGregor is not simple, and the same can be said about how the sport feels in Ireland. In a recent interview he shared that McGregor’s comeback next month could bring “a more positive buzz for everybody. ” He explains that back in 2017 and 2018, McGregor’s success made Irish people proud. Now, however, many young people under 40 see MMA as something they don’t want to be linked with.Fleury says the sport is still tied to McGregor, but that tie has become negative for most of Ireland. He stresses that he does not speak for the whole country, yet he still supports McGregor’s return to the octagon. The champion himself was asked about Ireland’s relationship with him. Fleury points out that the good effects of McGregor’s rise are often overlooked. He wonders if the fighter’s personality became a new identity for Ireland, but admits it has turned out to be “really negative” in many ways. Overall, the conversation shows how one star can both lift and tarnish a nation’s reputation in sports.