McGregor's childhood boxing coach reveals UFC star funds Dublin gym ahead of UFC 329 return

Conor McGregor has been donating to the Dublin boxing club where he first trained as a child, according to Phil Sutcliffe, his former coach at Crumlin Boxing Club — comments that emerged as McGregor prepares for his return to the UFC after a five-year absence.

Sutcliffe, who has known McGregor since he walked into the Crumlin facility at the age of 10, says the fighter contributes to the gym every year and has already paid for a boxing ring. Sutcliffe added that McGregor intends to expand the building by adding two storeys.

“We had him here since he was 10 years of age… He is the martial arts Muhammad Ali, his fame is everywhere,” Sutcliffe said. “But he still wants to support the community. Conor is one of the most generous men around. He loves the club. He walks in here cocky as hell, still the same. But he is proud when he walks in here. This is where he came from. He shoots and boots us up every year. The ring behind me, he bought. He is supposed to be building up two stories, making the gym bigger. He does so many good things. If you’re around him, you just want him to do good. He does good, we all do good. That’s what he wants. That’s the type of person he is.”

The remarks offer a rare personal portrait of McGregor away from the bravado that has defined his public image. Crumlin Boxing Club, located in the south Dublin suburb of Crumlin, was where McGregor first encountered combat sports before transitioning to MMA and eventually becoming the UFC’s most recognisable name.

McGregor (22-6) has not competed since fracturing his leg during a trilogy defeat to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He is scheduled to end that five-year layoff at welterweight against Max Holloway (27-9) at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.