Conor McGregor, the former two-weight UFC champion, has donated €10,000 to Wexford twins Dylan and Adam Duffy. The money was donated to the Ballycanew youngsters to help them compete in the IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The twins from Ballycanew recently earned spots on the Irish MMA Youth International Team. They set out to collect €6,000 (£5,200) so they could fight in the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
The top 12 to 17-year-old MMA fighters from across the world participate in the IMMAF Youth World Championships under a modified regulation that prohibits head blows. Many people think it’s the ideal approach for kids to practise their MMA talents in a competitive situation without risking injury.
The thirteen-year-olds were taken aback when they learned about the donation. Adam Duffy told The Independent, “I was training when I found out and my coach told me about it so calmly. I was going insane.”
“I thought he was joking until he showed me the comments. I feel like I have to win now because he (Conor McGregor) donated all that money.”
Adam’s twin brother, Dylan Duffy said, “We might not have been able to go (to Abu Dhabi) without his (Conor McGregor’s) help. There are so many gyms out there and he donated to us, which is insane.”
Despite exceeding their €6,000 (£5,200) fundraising goal, Adam and Dylan want to keep collecting funds.
Jason and Liz, their parents, want to utilize any excess money to purchase equipment for their trainer Richie Ivory’s gym. They also want to help other Irish fighters afford their travel to the IMMAF World Championships.
Conor McGregor is anticipated to return to the Octagon by the end of 2023. While he is renowned for his lavish purchases and pub empire, McGregor’s acts of charity are not unheard of.
McGregor personally delivered some of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to physicians throughout Irish hospitals at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. He also saved Straight Blast Gym Portarlington in County Laois, which was facing financial difficulties as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Recently, McGregor made a significant payment in the area of $500,000 to the Girls & Boys Club of Acadiana in Lafayette, Louisiana.