For Ireland, the silence around Conor McGregor's UFC 329 comeback spoke volumes - Yahoo Sports
Conor McGregor's return to the UFC at UFC 329 ended in a quick defeat due to injury, sparking a muted reaction in his home country of Ireland. The lack of public interest suggests a shift in the fighter's cultural standing among his compatriots.
Why it matters
The decline in national fervor for a major sports icon highlights the intersection of athletic performance, public perception, and cultural relevance.
Petesy Carroll Uncrowned Mon, July 13, 2026 at 5:16 PM UTC · 5 min read LAS VEGAS — My last attempt at finding any traveling Irish came the morning after Saturday's unsatisfying UFC 329 main event.
With Dublin set to play Kerry in the popular All-Ireland football semi-final at a sold-out Croke Park, I figured I'd find some Gaels flocking to the few watering holes that usually show the game.
My first stop at Rí Rá in Mandalay Bay proved unfruitful. The Irish barman quickly informed me there was no need for them to put the game on.
"Look around, there's nobody here," he told me before pointing me in the direction of The Irish Spot on Tropicana Avenue.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in