After being the first man to hold two belts in two weight classes simultaneously, Conor McGregor has been named the RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year.
McGregor, who was unable to attend the ceremony, won the award after Irish fans voted for who they felt had achieved the greatest sporting accomplishments over the past twelve months.
Two weight UFC champion Conor McGregor is the 2016 RTÉ Sport Person of the Year. #rtesportawards https://t.co/2Xksn2Sd2w
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 17, 2016
“Thank you so much to the fans for voting for me for RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year,” McGregor said in his acceptance speech. “I’m extremely grateful and extremely blessed to have the support of my home country. Thank you to RTE as well, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to make the awards ceremony as well, you know I love to stick on a good suit and roll into these awards ceremonies and collect the awards, so I’m a little upset about that.
“It’s been a hell of a year, look forward to 2017.”
McGregor is currently taking some time away from mixed martial arts as fatherhood approaches, although is weighing up his options as to how and when he’ll be returning, as speculation continues to grow regarding the sport he’ll be doing so in.
Thank you to all my fans! #RTESportsAwards pic.twitter.com/n1ujYbtdzp
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 17, 2016
