Conor McGregor was an obvious absentee at Katie Taylor’s rematch with Chantelle Cameron on Saturday night.
The UFC superstar, who sponsored Eddie Hearn’s latest show, opted to watch the fight from the comfort of his pub rather than head down to Dublin’s 3Arena.
McGregor sat front row to watch Taylor’s first fight with CameronCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom
Fans packed into the Black Forged Inn and watched Taylor pick up a majority decision win – a reverse to the result she suffered against Cameron in May – following 10 rounds of pulsating action.
McGregor filmed the reaction of everyone inside his bar as they learned Taylor had become a two-weight undisputed champion by beating the woman who held all four belts at light welterweight.
“Iconic scenes,” he captioned the post that showed Taylor fans nervously waiting for the result to be confirmed before wildly celebrating when she was declared the winner.
‘Notorious’ also sent a wholesome message to his compatriot and Cameron after they put on a definite ‘Fight of the Year’ contender.
McGregor tweeted: “Two women amazing! Congratulations Katie Taylor!
“What a comeback! What a redemption! What a hero of Ireland!”
Taylor and her promoter, Hearn, immediately began talking up a trilogy fight with Cameron at Dublin’s 80,000-seater stadium – Croke Park – which is a bucket list venue for McGregor.
He added: “Two division, Irish born and bred, UNIFIED World Champions!
He watched the ‘Fight of the Year’ contender rematch at his pubCredit: Mark Robinson and Matthew Pover/Matchroom Boxing
“Boxing and MMA [GOAT’s].
“Trilogy Rematch at OUR weight in Croke Park.
“Katie Taylor, HUGE CONGRATS!”
McGregor hopes to follow in Taylor’s footsteps by getting back to winning ways when he makes his eagerly anticipated return from injury in 2024.
The former dual-weight champion hasn’t fought since breaking his leg during a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021 – but he has been fully fit all year.
‘Mystic Mac’ is expected to face lightweight contender Michael Chandler and his long-time coach, John Kavanagh, insists they will clash before the end of June.
McGregor will take encouragement from Taylor upsetting the odds as he tries to do the same by recording his first win since knocking out Donaldo ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in January 2020.