Conor McGregor on Ronda Rousey, money and the government

Ireland's biggest UFC star wishes another champ well, talks financial awareness and even hints towards Irish politics.

Ronda Rousey, the biggest star by far in the UFC until Conor McGregor came along, traded one ring for another a few days ago with her pivot to the WWE.  Mac, who’s happily dissed WWE grapplers in the past, told an interviewer last week that he’s thrilled his old colleague, who was badly beaten in her last two UFC fights, has made the move.

“I’m delighted for her,” he said. “Absolutely over the moon for her.  She looked like she really enjoyed herself at the [WWE] event, and I was very, very happy to see her. She’s a pioneer for the game, and she’s came through it all and faced big wins and big losses. And she came through it, and it’s great to see her represent herself and mixed martial arts and have fun in the WWE.

“I know she’s been a big fan of it through all her life.  So it’s great to see that.”

Conor McGregor on Ronda Rousey’s WWE move: “I’m delighted for her, she’s a pioneer of the game. I was very happy to see her” https://t.co/jXMth7aM98 pic.twitter.com/z1onRugIpJ

— Women's MMA Rankings (@WMMARankings) February 1, 2018

Conor and his baby mama Dee Devlin were in NYC last week for the Children’s Medical Research Foundation gala co-hosted by the American Ireland Fund and the G-Mac Foundation founded by pro golfer Graeme McDowell.  The CMRF hospital is in Conor’s hometown of Crumlin in Dublin, so he was delighted to support the cause which raised a record $800K.

It was an honour to support Our Ladies Children's Hospital of Crumlin at the 7th Annual 'Best of Ireland Gala' dinner in New York City tonight. Over $800k was raised for the hospital. Tonight alone. Amazing. The highest number of each previous gala. $800k plus thousand is truly a lot of money and everyone involved in this should be very proud. I look forward to hearing and seeing reports of where the money is put to use in the hospital. What a great night! Thank you @deedevlin1 @coach_kavanagh and @orlaghhunter for attending with me.

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Jan 31, 2018 at 10:54pm PST

Speaking of money, the double UFC champ posted a pretty cogent message on his Instagram account while on the plane to New York.  He flew commercial – a rarity for the multi-millionaire these days – and made it quite clear that he’s not going to be a riches to rags athlete who’ll someday wind up on skid row.

“Financial awareness is key at all times. Look at many of our favorite athletes and performers post career. Often it is not a pretty site,” he wrote. “Tyson made over 300 million in his fighting career and today stands at a net worth of just 1 million. You must be switched on at all times with your money.  We cannot switch off here. Know your money and where it is going at all times and never ever go broke, trying to look rich.”

A post shared by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Feb 5, 2018 at 3:14pm PST

Conor also made it clear that he thinks the financial affairs of Ireland could be better handled by the government.

“Now as I get older at 29 years of age, I find that I am becoming more and more interested in where much of the money in my home state has gone and where it actually goes when it comes in. There are more and more things I see daily that do not add up,” he wrote. “I see many things I do not like and I see many things that I feel can be easily amended under correct instruction.  We shall see. Stay woke at all times kids.”

Conor for taoiseach? In this day and age, why not?