In the wake of Conor McGregor’s defeat in a Dublin civil case, where a jury found he had assaulted a woman who accused him of rape, brands and fans are scrambling to distance themselves from the disgraced UFC fighter. But the question remains: why was McGregor’s disturbing cult of content lauded and rewarded for so long?
The Toxic Appeal of Conor McGregor
From the start of his career, McGregor cultivated a persona that went beyond athletic prowess. He was heralded as a working-class hero, a patriotic icon, and a model for a certain brand of hyper-masculine success. His controversial behavior – from racist and sexist remarks to incidents of violence outside the octagon – was often brushed off as part of his “divisive” appeal.
As one close source put it, McGregor represented a world where “the only worth is earned through fame, wealth and physical force.” A world where violence is the solution to all problems, and where vulnerability and accountability have no place. It’s a seductive fantasy, particularly for disaffected young men seeking a sense of power and purpose.
Enabled by the Fighting Community
The fighting community, eager to cash in on McGregor’s popularity, largely turned a blind eye to his unacceptable behavior. As recently as August 2023, prominent figures like Eddie Hearn were still defending him, promising lucrative paydays if he returned to the ring.
We’ve set a dangerous precedent. It’s literally impossible to be a man in the western world.
Andrew Tate, commenting on the ruling against McGregor
This enabling attitude created a feedback loop, where McGregor’s worst impulses were continually validated and amplified. His fans, taking cues from the community’s silence, felt empowered to embrace and emulate his toxic worldview.
The Reckoning
It took a Dublin courtroom, where a jury heard harrowing testimony from McGregor’s accuser before finding him liable for assault, to finally puncture the illusion. Brands that had long profited from their association with McGregor are now scrambling to cut ties, their pragmatism and PR instincts belatedly aligning with principle.
But the damage has been done. McGregor’s “war” rhetoric was seized upon by far-right extremists during the Dublin race riots of 2023, revealing the real-world consequences of celebrating such a toxic figure. His now-abandoned bid for the Irish presidency, based on Trumpian promises to fight corruption and dissolve government, underscores the political dimension of his influence.
Lessons Unlearned
The unraveling of Conor McGregor’s legacy should serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of elevating profits and popularity over principles. But recent history suggests that these lessons often go unlearned.
Imagine a nation electing as its president a man found liable for sexual assault. Oh. Hang on.
Final line of the article, referencing Donald Trump’s election
As long as there is money to be made and adulation to be gained, there will always be those willing to overlook or even celebrate the worst in human behavior. It falls on all of us – fans, brands, media, and sporting bodies – to break this cycle by holding our heroes to higher standards, on and off the field of play. Only then can we hope to build a culture where true character is valued above cheap controversy.
