Conor McGregor’s dream of bringing UFC to Croke Park faces predictable opposition

This could be the Garth Brooks fiasco all over again.

Conor McGregor's dream of becoming the first man to headline a combat sports event in Croke Park since Muhammad Ali may suffer a major blow. UFC president Dana White has publicly said that should McGregor defeat Jose Aldo to win the featherweight title, he would have a defence in Ireland, most likely in Croke Park. However, it looks like that plan will be opposed by residents of the area. Pat Gates, the chair of the vocal residents’ association told the Irish Mirror that it is something they may oppose.

“I don’t think it would be something that we would be very keen to see coming to Croke Park. Personally speaking, I think the fights are very brutal and violent. I’d be surprised if the GAA would endorse that sport."

He explained that the potential rowdiness of the crowds at the event was one of the main concerns, although he admitted not knowing a lot about the fighter's fans.

“I don’t know the type of people that follow him and what sort of atmosphere there is in terms of rowdiness, in terms of public order, they are all the things that we would be seriously concerned about." “They would be my concerns and certainly it would be something that I would hate to see the GAA endorse. I don’t know if they would but money talks.”

Gates added that his stance does not represent that of every member of the residents group, and that further discussion would be needed .

“I’m not speaking for all the residents but I don’t think it would go down well. It’s something we would have to discuss but we would have perennial issues with the type of crowds and what impact that is likely to have on the residents.”