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MMA

16th Feb 2016

Conor McGregor got a poker world champion to fly halfway around the world

All in

Tom Victor

Conor McGregor might just have more power than even he realises.

Sure, Mystic Mac has predicted just about every aspect of his success so far, but we doubt even he expected his achievements would rub off on a poker world champion.

But it has emerged that Ryan Riess, who won $8.36m (£5.22m) when he took down the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2013, decided to make the 3,500 mile trip from the United States to Dublin because of ‘The Notorious’.

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 12: Conor McGregor plays to the camera before his featherweight title fight against Jose Aldo during UFC 194 at MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 12, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

“I’ve never been to Dublin, and I’m a huge UFC fan,” Riess told PokerNews, adding that he is a huge fan of McGregor’s attitude.

“I went to the Conor McGregor fight in Vegas and said if he wins I’m going to go to this stop for sure.”

Of course, McGregor won that fight against Jose Aldo in double-quick time, taking just 13 seconds to see off his Brazilian opponent, and that was all the convincing Riess needed.

He’s a one-man tourist industry!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdEAqlmqkYQ