The Notorious Conor McGregor has made some unlikely friendships with the rich and famous outside of the Octagon.
As the former UFC featherweight and lightweight double champion and founder of Irish whiskey distiller Proper No. Twelve, McGregor is now Forbes’ highest-paid athlete in 2021.
Most recently, the Dubliner posted a series of photos with 22-year-old Canadian singer Justin Bieber.
The pair were seen relaxing by the pool in California enjoying some of McGregor’s signature whiskey.
The UFC superstar later enjoyed Bieber’s ‘Freedom’ concert with Dee Devlin, his sister Aoife and his kids.
However, his celebrity friendships don’t end there as earlier this year, McGregor posted a photo to his Instagram, wishing Donatella Versace a happy birthday.
The photo was a throwback to 2017 when the UFC champion attended the British Fashion Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London and was photographed with the Italian fashion designer, and formula champion Lewis Hamilton.
That night, McGregor also held the company of Rita Ora, model and actress Jourdan Dunn, and supermodel Irina Shayk, posting a photo of the event saying: “We ran that show tonight.”
The Crumlin native has expanded his friend list to include royal family members as August of last year where he posted a photo with Princess Charlene of Monaco.
A little closer to home, McGregor has also been pictured with professional boxer and Wicklow native Katie Taylor.
He was quick to offer his congratulations to Taylor after she became the undisputed lightweight world champion saying: “This is one of my favourite pictures!
“What an experience it was to watch this woman fight live!
“If I was not in a cast from my own fight preparations, I would be ringside for this fight 100%!
“Back this woman all the way! Aiming to become the Unified World Boxing Champion this weekend!
“The first boxer male or female from the Emerald Isle to ever reach this coveted position!
“Ireland’s Katie Taylor! What a woman.”
McGregor has also made friends with other famous Irish faces including U2’s Bono in 2016 and The Edge which he bumped into at the airport when flying home for Christmas.
Virgin Group founder, Richard Branson, has also made it onto the list of McGregor-approved friends.
The Dubliner congratulated Branson earlier this month on his space flight. McGregor posted a video of the pair on his Twitter saying: “To the space pioneer who showed what determination and imagination can do! I applaud you my friend!"
The UFC champion has also made unlikely friendships with some of the biggest names on the stage including singer, dancer, and actress Jennifer Lopez, Umbrella singer Rihanna, along with The Weekend, Drake and rapper Quavo.
McGregor has also been pictured with professional football star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Possibly the most unlikely friendship of all was when McGregor was invited to the World Cup final as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s guest.
McGregor is pictured beside Putin with the obligatory raised fist and is later seen seated watching the football with a plate of pasta.
