Despite facing a civil court ruling that found him guilty of sexual assault, Conor McGregor continues to be supported by his closest allies. As sponsors sever ties and his business ventures falter, the Irish MMA star has leaned on a loyal inner circle of family and coaches who remain steadfast in their support.
Family First
Throughout the trial, McGregor’s parents, Tony and Margaret, were present, providing unwavering support for their son. His sisters, Erin and Aoife, have also stood by him. Aoife, linked to mobster Graham Whelan, appeared at the High Court alongside McGregor’s entourage. Erin’s husband, Terry Kavanagh, joined them as well, signaling solidarity with the embattled fighter.
At the heart of McGregor’s personal life is his fiancée, Dee Devlin, the mother of their four children. Devlin has been vocal in her defense of McGregor, taking to Instagram to declare, “I love him, I trust him, and I BELIEVE HIM!” She dismissed public criticism of their relationship, stating, “Our family stands strong!”
Support from the Coaches
McGregor’s longtime MMA coach, John Kavanagh, was another key figure by his side. Kavanagh, who guided McGregor from his early days to becoming a world champion, has faced criticism for standing with the fighter during the trial. Despite public backlash, Kavanagh has remained silent about his reasons for supporting McGregor.
Similarly, Phillip Sutcliffe, McGregor’s first boxing coach, showed his loyalty by appearing in court. Sutcliffe, who has known McGregor since the fighter was 10 years old, has faced professional fallout due to his association with the disgraced athlete. He recently resigned from the Independent Ireland party after his ties to McGregor drew criticism, highlighting the personal cost of remaining loyal.
A Crumbling Empire
The fallout from the court ruling has extended beyond McGregor’s personal life. Retailers such as Dublin Airport, Wetherspoons, Tesco, and Asda have stopped selling his Forged Irish Stout and Proper No Twelve whiskey. Proximo, the parent company of Proper No Twelve, announced McGregor would no longer feature in promotional campaigns.
The fighter has also lost opportunities in the gaming industry, with developers removing content featuring McGregor. Meanwhile, nearly 61,000 Instagram followers have unfollowed him in recent weeks.
A Tarnished Legacy
While McGregor still boasts an estimated €300 million fortune, the scandal has left his future in the fight and business worlds uncertain. For now, the loyalty of his family and coaches offers some solace as the once-celebrated champion faces mounting public and professional consequences.
With his inner circle standing firm, McGregor’s next steps remain crucial as he attempts to navigate the fallout from one of the most turbulent chapters of his career.
