In the UFC, Conor McGregor is used to making loud statements, turning press conferences into a show, and converting any talking point into a headline. But the longest distance in his life wasn’t covered in the Octagon or at the negotiating table over fight purses; it was walked in his relationship with Dee Devlin — the woman who stood by him long before championship belts, record PPV sales, and global fame.
A Dublin Meeting Before Fame and Contracts
Their story goes back to 2008. They met when they were both 19 — in a Dublin nightclub. At the time, the future MMA star was only starting to build momentum: training camps, gym work, sparring sessions, searching for his style, and trying to break through. Dee worked as a waitress, while Conor, by his own account, did plumbing jobs as he launched his MMA career. McGregor later stressed more than once that Devlin became his anchor in those years — taking care of everyday life and backing him while he fully committed to the grind.
The “Champion’s Routine” in Real Life: When Belief Matters More Than Money
McGregor has often said they lived modestly early on and built a kind of “training camp” out of ordinary life: nutrition, recovery, discipline — even when money was tight. In his telling, Dee didn’t just “support” him; she helped him keep the rhythm when he came home drained after punishing sessions. For a fighter who’s all-in on his career, that kind of stability outside the gym is almost like having the right corner team: without it, carrying a marathon to the belt is hard.
The Engagement Was Long Ago, but the Wedding Followed a Very Different Script
Dee received her engagement ring back in 2020. At the time, Conor talked about a grand ceremony and dreamed of holding it in Ireland — on the “Emerald Isle” — with maximum scale and a long build-up. But life, as it often does, changed the plan: the wedding ultimately turned into a private, low-profile event — no reporters, no flashbulbs, and none of the usual media carnival around the McGregor name.
The Vatican Instead of a Society Party: A Ceremony Behind the Walls of St. Peter’s
According to media reports, the wedding took place on December 12 in the Vatican — at the Church of Santo Stefano degli Abissini, located near St. Peter’s Basilica. For someone who lived for years by the logic of “the louder, the better,” the choice looks unexpected. But this time, the emphasis seemed to be on privacy and symbolism: less show — more meaning.
And you can’t simply “book a date” in the Vatican like you would at a typical venue: approval from local authorities is required. Irish media noted that the decision may not have been straightforward given reputation concerns amid the fighter’s legal troubles.
Four Children and a Family Story Outside the Octagon
Over the years, the couple have had four children. Different sources mention: a son named Conor (2017), a daughter Croia (2019), a son Ryan (2021), and a son, Mac (2023). Against the backdrop of a combat-sports career, comeback talk, injuries, and constant rumors, McGregor’s private life became part of his public image — but the family remained the central point he repeatedly returned to.
Scandals, Allegations, and a Defense: Why Dee Stayed by His Side
After McGregor became a global UFC star, major controversies followed: from nightclub incidents to sexual-assault allegations that were discussed in the press and dragged on for years. It’s important to note that in cases like these, much of what the public sees is shaped by statements, investigations, and media narratives — but the sheer length of the spotlight can hit a reputation hard.
Dee Devlin, judging by her public reactions, chose a defensive stance. She issued statements about trust, family, and the idea that outsiders have no right to comment on their relationship. In 2024, she also spoke sharply on social media about a woman mentioned in one of the cases, stressing the moral side of the situation and the fact that both sides had families and children. Media outlets also reported that one episode was settled financially, though details in such situations are rarely clear-cut from the outside.
A Couple Who Endured the Long Round
Seen through a sports lens, their relationship isn’t one bright knockout — it’s a long championship fight with pauses, crises, outside pressure, reputational blows, and constant attention from the stands. And a wedding after 17 years is less a romantic “full stop” than a statement: they went the distance where even the strongest partnerships can break.
Not About Belts, but About the Heart’s Endurance
In the UFC, character matters: the ability to endure, adapt, and not fall apart under pressure. McGregor and Devlin’s story speaks to exactly that — only outside the Octagon. The Vatican wedding looks like an attempt to reset a public image through a personal choice: less noise, more private space; where what matters isn’t ratings and highlights, but the people who were there before all the headlines.
