CONOR McGREGOR HAS been gradually increasing his collection of tattoos since he entered the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
First it was a large gorilla on his chest, but most recently the Irish mixed martial arts star added a huge tiger to his stomach. But not all of the Dubliner’s tattoos have been quite so elaborate.
McGregor, who’s one win away from becoming Ireland’s first UFC champion, was asked about his body art during a media workout last night in Las Vegas.
Long before he became a UFC star, the 26-year-old had some Arabic writing tattooed on the back of his left leg — which McGregor says was the result of an old holiday in Cyprus — but he’s not too sure what it actually means.
“This was when I was drunk. That was my first,” he told reporters. “It could mean anything. Arabic writing was the thing for a while, it was the cool thing to do.
“I was following the trend back then. Maybe one day I’ll get that covered up, I don’t know. I got it in Ayia Napa. It was like a party kind of… I was young and on holiday. It cost me €20.”
We’ve all done stupid things on holiday — haven’t we? — but if any of our Arabic-speaking readers can clear up the mystery of the meaning of Conor McGregor’s very first tattoo, we’d love to hear from you.
He’s been a huge plus for the Farrell team as he’s just bossed what was starting to become a problem position for Ireland.
Takes care of the basics first, and he’s starting to reveal more to his game now week on week at every level, influencing huge games.
I think the lad has a massive ceiling.
@Patrick Doherty: and a brilliant mix of writing and analysis as always from Murray Kinsella.
I completely agree the way he played last week against Munster was top class. Looked dangerous every time he had the ball in hand. Rock solid under the high ball and looking to attack at every opportunity
Where I have the difficulty with his play is over the five games for Ireland he offered absolutely nothing whatsoever in attack. Even when we were dominant against the English. He looked easy to read with ball in hand.
Before I get lambasted and abused here I believe it must be the different coaching structures between Ireland and Leinster
@Bgkph: he’s 24 and learning every week.
This is the role leinster wanted for carbury so it’s no surprise they are working with Keenan to do the same. Ireland don’t seem to want their 15 to play make so your not going to see this too much for Ireland
@Bgkph: it’s a much much higher level than any PR014 or HC games. It’s what Ronan O Gara keeps saying. Such a chasm between the levels
He’s a good solid player who has already improved hugely since he got his first cap. I’m not sure if he has as much X factor in attack that larmour and stockdale have. The experiment with them at full back failed though and IMO a safe pair of hands which he has , is the most important thing a full back should have…. hopefully the attacking threat can be worked on and will continue to improve…
This guy is a massive credit to the 7s system. He’s so solid, does all the basics so well and rarely makes a mistake. He’s going to get better and better.
He needs to work on his passing and decision making. He is already an improvement on Kearney but like Kearney he takes the ball into contact. Also he needs to fix his man before passing as it cost Lowe a try against France
@Patrick O Connell: the videos show him passing or offloading each time and continuing the movement. Doesn’t really correlate to your point about him going into contact
@Patrick O Connell: every time he takes it into contact he seems to make yards. Fella wriggles out of every tackle