The latest bill (H.R.30) passed by the House this January established, “a non-U.S. national is inadmissible if the individual has admitted to or is convicted of acts constituting the essential elements of stalking, child abuse, child neglect, child abandonment, a s*x offense, conspiracy to commit a s*x offense, a violation of certain protection orders, or domestic violence.”

But before this story, let’s go back to 2013 when a 24-year-old Conor McGregor, a barely recognizable former apprentice plumber soon-to-be-phenom from Lucan, Dublin, sat in an interview with RTE’s Late Late Show. Then, he told the world, “I thought I could do something with my life. I knew I had the ability to make it in this game.” Back then, he was just starting his journey but knew what he was and could be. However, one thing he never left behind him was his love for Ireland. In fact, Carroll, who covered Conor since he broke into the mainstream while his home country struggled with the 2008 recession impacts, once commented on him saying, “There are no opportunities, everybody’s leaving for Australia or Canada, and here’s this guy saying ‘no, be proud to be Irish. It’s cool to be Irish.’” 

Just two years after his UFC debut in Stockholm in 2013, Conor McGregor proved his words true. Fast forward to 2016, Scully Fitness gym in Corrandulla, Galway, had his mural with him punching the air and the Irish tricolor painted behind him. Conor was no longer a plumber; he was now an idol. But with the Nikita Hand civil case, things did not take time for the former UFC champion to turn for the worse. His own country turned on him. And the mural? Well, Gary, the owner of the gym, after asking two of his staff members to paint over the wall, said, “(McGregor is) no longer a role model to the general public” after the ruling. People want nothing to do with him, they don’t want to see him, they don’t want anything to do with putting money his way. The way he’s behaved is just absolutely terrible.” And what about Conor?

Well, after losing the Hand civil case, Conor faced a lot of backlash, including losing brand deals resulting in commercial damages. But there was more, a statement from a close source mentioned: “The commercial damage in Britain and Ireland has been massive with retailers refusing to sell his stout and Proper No 12 whiskey. However, the court case has not been as damaging commercially in the United States where most of his fans are standing by him. He wants out of Ireland for the moment and to move back to the States.” But seems like Conor might not be visiting his Las Vegas property any time soon and will have to move past his wish to relocate to Florida. Amidst all the chaos, however, the 22-6 former MMA champ found one bleak silver lining.

After Great Britain markets hit McGregor with severe sanctions, the former UFC champion pursued ventures outside the island. His next move? Break into the American markets, and it seems his determination may be paying off.

Sharing a small, yet necessary victory, Conor McGregor took to his Instagram story to share a reel by Danny Whiteys of Croke Park/ Whiteys bar. He added the caption, “US Operations Rocking and Rolling.” In the video, a lady in her late 40s enjoyed a huge pint of Forged Irish Stout by none other than the ‘Mystic Mac’. According to the audio, “This is (Jewel), she drove here all the way from California to try Conor McGregor’s new stout ‘Forged’. Go ahead (Jewel) it’s all yours.” The man recording responds “Excellent” to woman’s (Jewel) comment after taking a big gulp of the dark stout, “It’s f*cking good.”

Conor McGregor introduced Forged Irish Stout line of beverages to the American market in late 2023, following its success in the European market. This marks his second beverage line after ‘Proper Twelve’ whiskey, which gained immense popularity through Proximo Spirits. While the dual weight fighter can watch his fans enjoy his beverages, he himself cannot move to the USA after his documents got rejected due to the HR 30 law passed in January this year.

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Well, Conor McGregor is ready to make waves in the $131B restaurants and bars industry in America. Interestingly, the former UFC Champ has also found another way to continue with his name.

Conor also has ‘Notorious Cigars’

With a net market size of $13 billion and that too in the US alone, Conor McGregor announced his entry into the tobacco world as well. Back in 2024, Conor McGregor revealed his power move and it appears that 2025 is the year to make his dream come true as the former dual-weight champion of the world took to his Instagram handle to launch ‘Notorious Cigars.’ He uploaded a video where he huffed the cigar with a caption, “My new @notoriouscigars are ready! #Enjoy #Tasty.” 

During the reveal, McGregor stated, “These cigars represent my journey—relentless, unapologetic, and crafted to perfection. Every draw is a taste of victory, of years of dedication and triumph. This isn’t just a cigar. It’s a statement.”

Bringing the expertise of the cigar expert MJ Frias, the Notorious embodies “the finest tobacco fields in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Brazil.” The brand website also describes the cigars, “This is where tradition meets power, where heritage embraces the future. Be bold. Be Notorious.”

With a number of businesses under his banner, ‘Notorious‘ sure knows how to double his investments. While he accepts that he has made some mistakes, he chooses to move forward and not dwell on the past.