Conor McGregor had an exhibition boxing match against John Joe Nevin in his boyhood gym - as he prepares for his UFC return against Donald Cerrone.
Irishman McGregor fought his countryman Nevin as part of the Christmas show at Crumlin Boxing Club - the Dublin gym where 'The Notorious' first took up combat sports at the age of 12.
McGregor is due to fight American rival Cerrone in Las Vegas on January 18 in the headline bout of UFC 246.
It will be his first return to the octagon since his defeat to lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2018.
And as he steps up his preparations for his long-awaited UFC return, McGregor entertained boxing fans with his match against undefeated Nevin.
Two-time Olympian Nevin was a London 2012 silver medallist who has a record of 14 wins and no losses since turning pro in 2014.
Last month, Nevin won the vacant WBA International super-featherweight title with victory over Freddy Fonseca in London.
After the bout, McGregor took to social media to thank his compatriot for the fight.
He posted on Instagram : "Great exhibition bout at the Crumlin B.C. Christmas show against John Joe Nevin. Big lad is John Joe, thank you for the rounds! Happy Christmas."
After facing 'Cowboy' Cerrone, it is thought McGregor wants to fight Jorge Masvidal and, of course, he is desperate for a rematch with Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov will take on Tony Ferguson in April, but there have been rumours he is to take on the returning Floyd Mayweather in the future.
However, the Russian downplayed those rumours.
“I have already signed a contract for my next fight in April. At the moment, I’m not thinking either of boxing or of Mayweather,” Nurmagomedov told TASS via World Boxing News .
“What can I say? – He is one of the greatest boxers of all time. This is why it will be tough fighting against him under the rules of boxing."
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