Conor McGregor’s father doesn’t see his son walking away from mixed martial arts after he has his first child next year.
After capturing the UFC lightweight championship in the main event of UFC 205, Conor McGregor announced that his girlfriend, Dee Devlin, is expecting a baby in May 2017. The Irish superstar’s father, Tony McGregor, doesn’t expect that being a father will affect the 28-year-old’s fighting career.
“He’s not leaving fighting,” Tony McGregor told Submission Radio. “It’s a new chapter in his life. He’s only 28. I’m sure when the new arrival comes along, he’ll just slide into that, as well. I mean, he’s a world champion fighter, so I’m sure he’s going to be a world champion dad.”
“The Notorious,” one of the most active UFC champions, did not directly lay out a timeline of his in-cage plans after his win on Saturday, but most expect that he’ll take some time off ahead of and following the birth of his first child.
McGregor also demanded a stake in the UFC at the post-fight press conference. His request could end up leading to a hiatus — or complete departure from the organization and/or sport — if he doesn’t get what he wants.
“If you want me to stick around, if you want me to keep doing what I’m doing, let’s talk. But I want ownership now. I want equal share. I want what I deserve,” McGregor said.
UFC 205 took place live from Madison Square Garden in New York City on Nov. 12. McGregor, the UFC featherweight champion, finished Eddie Alvarez in the second round to become the first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously in UFC history.