Uncharted wrote: » I'v no time for Mc Gregor,I think he is a slimy scrote of the highest order. The fact is though, he is hands down,the most famous sportsperson to EVER come from Ireland. His name is known worldwide,even by people who know nothing about MMA.
Fifty grades of shay. wrote: » I'd say Rory McIlroy is probably more or at least as famous, just not as notorious perhaps.
odyssey06 wrote: Personally I don't think it's a sport, but I don't have a strong opinion on it either way. But given that a lot of people on this thread don't think it's a sport, and this is even reflected in the official stance of some countries, I don't think it's legit to count McGregor's fame as being that of a sports star.
odyssey06 wrote: Do I have to spell out why I don't list GAA stars???
odyssey06 wrote: I don't see your point? How many Chinese or Indian people play or follow the Ryder Cup or even know the competition exists? Google suggests less than 500,000 golfers in China. Harrington and McIlroy have a global profile in golf but golf's profile does not match soccer. Not does it have the concentrated numbers of fans of cricket in populous countries such as India, Pakistan.
odyssey06 wrote: If you showed someone a picture of Padraig Harrington outside Ireland or outside of a golf club who would know him? Best was European Footballer of the Year in 1968. Football is the most popular sport in UK and Ireland and he has been famous there for five decades. Manchester United have 70 million followers on Facebook, if even 10% of them take an interest in the history of their club, that's millions who will know who Best is. Plus, airport.
odyssey06 wrote: I did say that the views of him and UFC could change.
sbsquarepants wrote: » There's 2 brazillians work here with me - out of interest I've just asked them both do they know who George Best is, not a clue! Neither knew of McIlroy and both new McGregor. Now, I could use a bigger sample size (5 or 6 maybe:D) But, statistics don't lie. In a recent poll 0% of Brazilians had heard of Best or McIlroy, whereas 100% had heard of McGregor
odyssey06 wrote: » I'm open to persuasion on this, but I'm not sure how 'deep' interest in golf is globally. I doubt it's even in the Top 5 of sports in any country. Cricket, Rugby, even Cycling have localized pockets of high popularity. That's why I wouldn't pick him as the most famous sports star.
orourkeda1977 wrote: » The consensus here is that Conor McGregor is reckoned to be the most famous Irish sports person. I doubt UFC is more popular than Golf.
odyssey06 wrote: » Personally I don't think it's a sport, but I don't have a strong opinion on it either way. But given that a lot of people on this thread don't think it's a sport, and this is even reflected in the official stance of some countries, I don't think it's legit to count McGregor's fame as being that of a sports star.
I'm open to persuasion on this, but I'm not sure how 'deep' interest in golf is globally. I doubt it's even in the Top 5 of sports in any country. Cricket, Rugby, even Cycling have localized pockets of high popularity. That's why I wouldn't pick him as the most famous sports star.
Knex. wrote: » The combined fame and reach of all other Irish sports stars is probably about that of McGregor. He transcended the sport of UFC. People who have never watched a fight, or his boxing fight, know his name. Your grandmother knows who he is. As much as people don't want to admit it, he's just on a different level. Rory McIlroy has to be 2nd. He does have the PGA golf videogame named after him.
TerrorFirmer wrote: » Golf is huge and has global reach. Are you seriously suggesting there's an Irish Rugby player, cricketeer or cyclist more famous than McIllroy? That would be absurd.
Omackeral wrote: » -Kurt Angle is an Olympic gold medalist. -Mark Henry was legitimately the world's strongest man. -Current WWE Woomen's champion Ronda Rousey is a former UFC Womens Champion and an Olympic medalist in judo. -Brock Lesnar was a 2 time NCAA wrestling champion as well as UFC Heavyweight Champion. That's off the top of my head. You've shown your ignorance on here already. Keep it up though.
normanoffside wrote: UFC is not a Sport it’s an organisation.
odyssey06 wrote: » McIlroy has 1.2 millon facebook fans. I wonder where it ranks globally.
feargale wrote: » At least, unlike Eoin Morgan, Declan Rice was born in England.
Naos wrote: » Again, what is your criteria for something to be considered a sport?
odyssey06 wrote: » If it's a legitimate sport why is it not recognised as such in France and not recognised by Sport Ireland through any official sports governing body in this country?
Ush1 wrote: » Ken Shamrock was also a UFC fighter.
Naos wrote: » Did you misunderstand my question? I am asking what criteria you would use for something to be deemed a sport.
callaway92 wrote: » He was a Mixed Martial Artist before he did Pro Wrestling.
odyssey06 wrote: » Boxing is recognised by sport Ireland and the Olympics because it's competitive but also meets certain standards in terms of the welfare of participants. My understanding is that MMA at present doesn't meet those standards and so isn't recognised. What criteria do you use for something to be deemed a sport?
normanoffside wrote: » UFC is not a Sport it’s an organisation.
xckjoo wrote: » Not sure that's a reliable metric. Does hurling have a governing body in France? Are those bodies not more related to funding and promotion than anything else?
Naos wrote: » You appear to be having difficulties responding to a very simple and clear question. I am not sure how boxing or the Olympics came into your answer. What CRITERIA do YOU use to qualify if something is a sport or not? For example, the Oxford dictionary define sport as "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment." Would you agree with that?
