UFC champion Conor McGregor might be a tough man, but as all parents know, nothing else matters when it comes to your child meeting Santa for the first time.
McGregor took time out from gearing up to defend his UFC lightweight title to take his six-month-old son Conor Jr to see Father Christmas in the majestic foothills of the Dublin mountains.
The 29-year-old Crumlin-born fighter and his son and family visited the bearded Christmas icon at Luggwoods enchanted forest experience for a magical day of storytelling, fun, games, petting real reindeer and, of course getting to know the man tasked with delivering Christmas presents.
Conor McGregor with partner Dee Devlin and his beloved six-month-old son Conor Jr
Proud parents and Conor Jr visited a magical enchanted forest to meet Santa and his helpers
A magical moment! Conor Jr studies Santa as proud parents Conor and Dee enjoy their visit
Conor Sr and Conor Jr share a dad and son moment at Luggwoods magical enchanted forest
Smiles all-round for proud dad McGregor as he spends precious quality time with his son
Happy Families – Dee, Conor Sr and of course Conor Jr enjoy their family day out at Luggwoods
Sprite or elf? You decide as Conor Sr has fun at the enchanted magical forest near Dublin
McGregor posted a picture of the memorable day out with his son on his personal Instagram account, writing: ‘Conor Jr’s first visit to see Santa Claus at Luggwoods with his cousin Harry! Check this place out for a great day out.’
Away from family life speculation had been growing as to who and when McGregor would fight on his return to UFC.
However, any hope of the talented Irishman fighting before the end of the year looks to have slipped away following his actions at a Bellator event in Dublin over the weekend.
McGregor pictured with Floyd Mayweather before American beat him with a 10th round TKO
The UFC lightweight champion jumped into the cage to celebrate team-mate Charlie Ward’s victory over John Redmond and proceeded to get involved in an ugly altercation with both referee Mark Goddard and another official before being escorted out of the arena.
He could pay the price with president of the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports, Mike Mazzulli, claiming the events have caused the UFC to scrap plans to have the 29-year-old headline UFC 219 in Las Vegas on December 30.
The promotion had been working hard to agree a deal that would see McGregor defend his 155-pound title against interim champion Tony Ferguson on the traditional end of year card – while a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz remains a possibility.
McGregor after his win over Eddie Alvarez in the UFC lightweight championship at UFC 205
McGregor punches Nate Diaz in their welterweight bout during the UFC 202 event in Las Vegas
McGregor fights Eddie Alvarez in their UFC lightweight championship fight during UFC 205
But Mazzulli says that will no longer happen after a UFC executive contacted him ‘within two hours of the Bellator event’.
UFC president Dana White had previously hinted McGregor could have made his highly-anticipated return to the octagon before the end of the year.
The Irishman has been enjoying life since his money-spinning bout with Floyd Mayweather but now has his sights set on defending his lightweight title.
With his unfortunate actions possibly delaying a comeback perhaps McGregor could ask Santa for an early Christmas present and ask him to change Mazzulli’s mind.