News

New champ Conor McGregor celebrates Vegas win with fans

Conor McGregor after defeating Jose Aldo in Las Vegas. Picture by John Locher/AP Photo
Conor McGregor after defeating Jose Aldo in Las Vegas. Picture by John Locher/AP Photo Conor McGregor after defeating Jose Aldo in Las Vegas. Picture by John Locher/AP Photo

UFC champion Conor McGregor said he was just planning "a little drink or two" with fans and then "just rest for the night" after his lightning victory in Las Vegas.

Thousands of fans were waiting for him at the FoxTail pool and nightclub in Las Vegas, where he had promised anyone who backed a first round knockout free entry on Saturday night.

At his post-fight press conference, the undisputed champion said: "The strip will be green, white and orange. I have an after party at the SLS so I'm going to have some steak with my family, a little bit of food and then I'm going to celebrate with my fans who are at the after-party.

"A little drink or two and then just rest for the night and see what tomorrow brings."

McGregor - whose Twitter handle is @TheNotoriousMMA - was later pictured arriving at the club, resplendent in a three-piece muted tartan suit, complete with a blue silk handkerchief in his breast pocket and his championship belt slung over his shoulder.

He posted a message of thanks to his Irish fans and paid tribute to his opponent.

"Thank you to all the fans who travelled and made this week what it was!! The travelling Irish are untouchable when it comes to creating the atmosphere needed to make a week like this what it was!! I am forever blown away by the support of my country. We have changed the game forever!!! Respect to a great champion in Jose Aldo."

Among those at SLS casino resort on the famous `Strip' was RTÉ Love/Hate star Laurence Kinlan, who had jetted to Sin City with Star Wars actor Domhnall Gleeson to watch the fight with Jose Aldo.

Kinlan reported on his twitter account: "Partying with the champ and family. Nothing but respect for Conor and the whole team. Great night here."

Earlier, he had enthused: from MGM Grand Garden Arena: "That was one of the best things I've witnessed in my life. The Garden Arena went absolutely bananas."

Former boxing champion and fellow Irishman Barry McGuigan led praise for McGregor's achievement from leading sporting and celebrity figures.

"Many congratulations to @TheNotoriousMMA made it look effortless #properpreparation," he wrote.

Golfers Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell also offered their congratulations.

"He turned a skeptic into a believer last night... @TheNotoriousMMA is the real deal. Talk is cheap but that left hand will make him [internet pictures of money]," McIlroy said.

"I think @TheNotoriousMMA has turned me into a slightly more interested @UFC watcher. Great character and incredible athlete," McDowell wrote.

'Charlie's Angels' actress Minka Kelly shared with her fans: "Well that was fast. One punch?! Wow!"

A sentiment echoed by former New Labour spin Svengali Alastair Campbell who said: "Got to hand it to @TheNotoriousMMA When I interviewed him for @BritishGQ I said I'd never known confidence like it. Amazing punch"

Co Down funnyman Patrick Kielty's response was typically wry: "Morning Ireland - If you missed the fight and are just waking up, so is Aldo. And the new...@TheNotoriousMMA !!!"

 

Thank you for all the kind messages! I am extremely grateful and proud to be in the position I am in. To the naked eye it was 13 seconds, but to my team and my family it has been a lifetime of work to get to that 13 seconds. Congratulations to the staff at the UFC on a historic week in the sports history and an amazing 2015 for the company. It is an honor to be playing a part in this great companies continued growth and success and an honor to top off a phenomenal week in the sports history. Thank you to all the fans who travelled and made this week what it was!! The traveling Irish are untouchable when it comes to creating the atmosphere needed to make a week like this what it was!! I am forever blown away by the support of my country. We have changed the game forever!!! Respect to a great champion in Jose Aldo. The true greats will always overcome adversity. I wish him and his loyal team well on their journey back. Much respect. Thank you all!!!

A photo posted by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on