Conor McGregor makes major step towards UFC return
It was revealed this week that McGregor had given a sample to the UFC's anti-doping unit, his first test of 2025.
As per UFC rules, a fighter needs to provide six months of clean samples before being allowed to fight in the promotion. Given McGregor's sample was given in the past week or so, it would enable him to fight as soon as next February.
This would open the door for McGregor to fight on the rumoured 'White House' UFC card which Donald Trump wants to be held at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave on July 4th next year to commemorate 250 years of American independence.
McGregor has made plenty of social media claims stating his desire to appear on the card and fight as Ireland's President. But while the Dubliner wants to replace Michael D Higgins as President, he would need the backing of either 20 members of the Oireachtas of four local authorities - both of which are highly unlikely.
The Irishman hasn't fought in the UFC since 2021 when he twice lost to Dustin Poirier. He was due to return against Michael Chandler last year but pulled out with a toe injury.
Away from MMA, McGregor has been in the news this week after losing his appeal against Nikita Hand.
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Inside Eamon Dunphy's family life and career with wife Jane, kids, grandkids and most explosive comments on RTE TV
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But it was his presence on our TV screens that was the most iconic as he formed one part of the 'Three Amigos' alongside Johnny Giles and Liam Brady. The trio were ably orchestrated by the late, great Bill O'Herlihy, with the group serving as mainstays on RTE TV during coverage of World Cups, Champions Leagues, and more. Here, SunSport takes a look at the life behind Eamon Dunphy. Where is Eamon Dunphy from? Eamon Dunphy is a proud Dubliner, having been born there on August 3, 1945. His early football education was within Dublin, as he played youth football with Stella Maris before moving to Manchester United in 1960 when he was just 15. Dunphy opened up on his experience at Old Trafford during an episode of 'The Bookshop with Ryan Tubridy'. And he revealed that despite the tenure being short-lived, he was able to strike a bond with Man Utd all-time great George Best. 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When did he start with RTE? Dunphy began his career with RTE working on the 1978 World Cup. He was part of RTE's football coverage for the past four decades covering almost every Irish national team game across a number of European Championships and World Cups. He left the broadcaster in 2018, typically causing shock and awe when the broadcaster did not expect him to issue his retirement statement. 7 RTE's team for the 2018 World Cup Credit: Matt Browne/Sportsfile The then-72-year-old left RTE to focus on his podcast The Stand which he had been running since November 2016. After nine years of the pod, Dunphy announced in January 2025 that it was taking a break "for the foreseeable future". By the time he left RTE after the 2018 World Cup, Eamon had already collected a catalogue of iconic, explosive moments... GOING 90 The earliest example we are providing of an explosive Eamon Dunphy moment was one that caused such a stir that it went viral before the age of social media. At the 1990 World Cup, the Republic of Ireland drew 0-0 with Egypt, prompting a deflated Dunphy to say he was "embarrassed". Speaking in the RTE studio afterwards, he said: "I felt embarrassed for soccer, embarrassed for the country, embarrassed for all the good players. "I feel embarrassed and ashamed of that performance and we should be. Everyone in the country has been let down and most people won't understand. "The Egyptians were terrible, they are terrible. We should be ashamed of how we went about the game." He rounded out his condemnation by referring to great players of previous eras, including Johnny Giles who was sat beside him, before tossing his pen onto the desk with a grimace. 'HE'S A COD' While many modern football fans refer to Cristiano Ronaldo as the GOAT, some on the Emerald Isle may opt for 'cod'. That blistering putdown was made famous by Eamon Dunphy, who went scorched earth on Ronaldo in 2008. After Manchester United had drawn 0-0 with Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, the Irishman was having none of CR7. So when tasked with analysing the then-23-year-old, he held absolutely nothing back. 7 Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo Credit: Getty He fumed: "Ronaldo's performance tonight was a disgrace to football. "Liam [Brady] doesn't want me to say this, because I'll get myself into trouble - it was a disgrace. "It was a disgrace of petulance, temperament, throwing himself on the ground at least half a dozen times looking for fouls that he didn't get, claiming two penalties that he didn't get, waving his arms at other players on his own team. "It was a disgrace to professional football. "You asked before if this was about two great young players, [Lionel] Messi and Ronaldo. "If it was, Messi proved himself after only 45 minutes football in the last six weeks, to be a real pro and a real player." 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Irish Daily Mirror
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Conor McGregor makes major step towards UFC return
Conor McGregor has taken steps towards a UFC return by submitting his first anti-doping test of 2025. It was revealed this week that McGregor had given a sample to the UFC's anti-doping unit, his first test of 2025. As per UFC rules, a fighter needs to provide six months of clean samples before being allowed to fight in the promotion. Given McGregor's sample was given in the past week or so, it would enable him to fight as soon as next February. This would open the door for McGregor to fight on the rumoured 'White House' UFC card which Donald Trump wants to be held at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave on July 4th next year to commemorate 250 years of American independence. McGregor has made plenty of social media claims stating his desire to appear on the card and fight as Ireland's President. But while the Dubliner wants to replace Michael D Higgins as President, he would need the backing of either 20 members of the Oireachtas of four local authorities - both of which are highly unlikely. The Irishman hasn't fought in the UFC since 2021 when he twice lost to Dustin Poirier. He was due to return against Michael Chandler last year but pulled out with a toe injury. Away from MMA, McGregor has been in the news this week after losing his appeal against Nikita Hand.
