The famed Irish fighter is once again in the headlines for his actions outside the octagon, this time involving a public feud with American rapper Azealia Banks and the leaking of explicit images.
Conor McGregor, the former two-division UFC champion, has been engulfed in a new scandal after rapper Azealia Banks publicly released unsolicited nude photographs she claims he sent her. The incident, which unfolded on social media in mid-July 2025, has added another chapter to the fighter’s growing list of controversies.
Banks took to her X (formerly Twitter) account to post the explicit images, accusing McGregor of sending them to her without her consent.[1][2][3] She further alleged that McGregor had threatened her to keep the matter private.[1][2] One of the alleged messages from McGregor reportedly read, “Don’t be a rat cos all rats get caught.”[1][2]
The rapper, known for her own outspoken online presence, did not hold back in her posts, mocking McGregor’s political aspirations in Ireland and questioning his actions.[1][2][4] The leaked images quickly went viral, sparking a frenzy of online discussion and media coverage.[5] While many social media users reacted with a mix of shock and ridicule, some questioned the authenticity of the photos, with suggestions that they could be AI-generated.[5] However, the accusations and the graphic nature of the images have undoubtedly damaged McGregor’s public image.
This latest episode comes at a time when McGregor’s personal life and professional future are already under intense scrutiny.
- Public Appearances: Just days before the photo leak, McGregor was photographed on a beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, appearing to kiss a woman who was not his long-term fiancée, Dee Devlin.[1][6] This led to widespread speculation about his relationship status. Devlin, however, posted a birthday message for McGregor shortly after the beach photos surfaced, seemingly ignoring the controversy.[1][6]
- Legal Troubles:Â The fighter is also dealing with the fallout from a civil court case in Ireland. In November 2024, a jury found him liable for the sexual assault of a woman in a Dublin hotel in 2018.[7][8] He was ordered to pay significant damages to the victim.[7][8] McGregor has denied the allegations and is appealing the verdict.[9]
- UFC Career:Â McGregor has not competed in the UFC since suffering a severe leg injury in July 2021.[10] His highly anticipated comeback fight in 2024 was canceled due to another injury.[11] While a return in early 2025 has been teased, his recent behavior and a “like” on a social media post suggesting he is “enjoying his life” and may not return to MMA have cast doubt on his fighting future.[10][12][13] There has also been speculation about a potential move to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).[14]
The combination of these recent events paints a picture of a celebrity athlete whose life outside of sport is increasingly overshadowing his past achievements in the cage. While McGregor has a dedicated fanbase that has stood by him through numerous controversies, this latest incident involving the leaked photos has brought a new level of public exposure to his tumultuous personal life. As he navigates these legal and personal challenges, the question of whether he will ever return to his fighting prime remains a significant topic of debate.
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