Dana White explains Conor McGregor's absence at Callum Walsh's boxing match in Ireland: "He had the afterparty for him at his place"
Dana White recently clarified why Conor McGregor was missing from Callum Walsh's boxing match in Ireland. 'King' delivered a stunning knockout of Przemyslaw Runowski in the second round, successfully retaining his WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title last weekend at Dublin’s iconic 3Arena.
White has been deeply involved in Walsh’s career, actively backing him over the past few years. The UFC CEO was even present ringside to show his support during the event. In a media scrum ahead of Noche UFC 306 earlier this month, White revealed that he had extended an invitation to 'The Notorious' to attend the Walsh vs. Runowski showdown.
Despite the invitation, McGregor was notably absent from the event. Instead, he was spotted at Wembley Stadium in London the following day, attending a high-profile boxing spectacle that saw Daniel Dubois knock out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round.
During the press conference following 'Contender Series' on Tuesday, White disclosed that the former two-division UFC champion was actually stranded in New York due to flight complications. McGregor ultimately arrived in Dublin after the fight had already concluded:
"I was talking to Conor the whole time. Conor got stuck in New York; he had plane issues, and Conor landed right when the fight was over. Conor wanted to come, and he was trying to come. He had the afterparty for him [Walsh] at his place."
Check out Dana White's comments below (15:18):
When Callum Walsh opened up about meeting Conor McGregor
During an interview with Cageside Press in July 2023, Callum Walsh expressed his admiration for fellow Irishman Conor McGregor, revealing that he's a huge fan and draws inspiration from the UFC superstar.
Walsh recounted the moment he met 'The Notorious' at UFC 285 in March 2023. 'King' admitted he wasn’t sure if McGregor would even recognize him, but to his surprise, the former lightweight champion greeted him warmly:
"McGregor walked in, I was sitting in my seat, he was sitting two rows ahead of me, and he walked in, he kind of looked around and saluted me, and I thought, 'Oh, that's Conor McGregor.' I went around the front to get a photo with him, and he looked at me and said, 'Oh, Callum, I support you all the way. I love your boxing,' and I thought, 'That's the first time I ever met Conor McGregor, a man that I've watched since I was so young, and he already knows who I am.'"
Check out Callum Walsh's comments below (2:16):