Forty-seven amateur mixed martial artists and their coaches will attend this year’s International Mixed Martial Arts Federation youth MMA championship without any financial burdens, thanks to Conor McGregor.
A former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) has provided funding for 27 fighters ranging from ages 12-18, as well as 20 coaches, the IMMAF announced Monday.
“Wishing the Irish squad the very best of luck in their quest at the world championships this year!” McGregor told the IMMAF in a statement. “From the fighters to the coaches, I know the future of our fighting nation is in excellent hands. Fight with the pride of the Emerald Isle, team! We are all with you. Good luck!”
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown added, “It’s fantastic news for all the athletes, coaches and the Irish MMA community that Conor has shown his passion for the sport in this way and is helping pave the way for the next ‘Conor.’ We at IMMAF are appreciative of Conor’s support of grassroots athlete development and his demonstration of support for John Kavanagh’s work in the MMA community, as President of the Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association.
“The value of this endorsement extends beyond the money in terms of the focus and sense of purpose it gives to the team. This is what IMMAF is all about, working in communities to deliver value from MMA for social good.”
The 2021 IMMAF Youth MMA Championships take place July 29-Aug. 1 in Bulgaria and feature youth athletes from all over the world. The last IMMAF Youth MMA Championships featured 269 athletes from 26 different countries.
McGregor, 32, headlines UFC 264 on July 10 in a trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier. The event takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
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Conor McGregor donates funding for 47 members of Ireland’s 2021 IMMAF youth team
