Two of the biggest athletes in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Conor McGregor, recently visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They were present in the crowd to attend the coveted boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Otto Wallin. The two sporting superstars bumped into each other for the second time on that night. Several social media updates are also showcasing the two enjoying the fight seated adjacent to each other. This prompted curiosity amongst fans if they are friends and who CR7 supports in the UFC.
The first UFC double-division champion Conor McGregor has achieved unparalleled fame and success in the realm of MMA. His influence has transcended beyond the world of combat sports. Thus, enabling him to build connections with athletes across different disciplines of sports. One such similar athlete is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Are Cristiano Ronaldo and Conor McGregor friends?
At first glance, the friendship between Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and UFC fighter Conor McGregor seems like a very 21st-century social-media-fueled business ploy.
Credits – The official Instagram account of Cristiano Ronaldo – @cristiano
The pair’s connection was made public in late July when Ronaldo visited the Irish fighter’s training camp in Las Vegas, and the two faced off inside the octagon, with both delightedly sharing photos with their respective millions of followers.
The public friendship has continued since then, mostly played out over social media and in the tabloids. The former Manchester United star even got the Irishman into Jennifer Lopez’s party.
Behind the headlines, it looks like a mutually beneficial business relationship, perhaps cooked up by their agents or marketing specialists, highlighting synergies to boost their profiles among crucial demographics in key target markets.
It is easy to be cynical about all this, especially when McGregor said that Ronaldo first made contact having seen the Irishman wearing his own branded underwear at a weigh-in. But look a little closer and the pair share more than a liking for building their brands by displaying their bodies.
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Another piece of common ground is that both have millions of fans all over the world who are quick to jump on any perceived lack of respect for their hero. Even though Ronaldo himself has recently said that he likes having critics whom he can prove wrong.
Thus, it’s safe to consider that CR7 would support the Irishman inside the octagon. However, his ties with the Notorious’ arch-nemesis, Khabib Nurmagomedov, can’t also be dismissed.
