Fighter gets Conor McGregor sponsorship, becomes 2-time IMMAF champ

Frank Bonada

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Publish Date: 11/17/2024

Conor McGregor's investment in the next generation of Irish mixed martial arts talent paid off in a big way at the 2024 IMMAF World Championships.

Since its inception in 2014, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has produced some of the brightest combat sports prospects in modern MMA, including the likes of Manon Fiorot, Muhammad Mokaev and Amanda Ribas.

However, while many athletes enjoy funding and support from their national federations, Irish fighters often face financial hurdles, with many covering their travel and training costs for IMMAF events independently.

Conor McGregor sponsors 6 Team Ireland athletes

In the lead-up to the 2024 IMMAF World Championships, Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor announced his sponsorship of a significant contingent of the Irish national team.

Among this group of athletes affiliated with McGrgeor were Amy Scully and Nate 'The Great' Kelly. Scully had previously claimed gold at the 2023 IMMAF World Championships in the Junior Atomweight division, while Kelly had garnered renown for competing as an amateur at Bellator and PFL events.

Nate Kelly’s IMMAF debut showed early promise when he submitted Spain’s Jose Montserrat on the tournament’s opening day. However, in the following bout against Mexico’s Jeovanni Rivadeneyra, a miscalculated takedown allowed Rivadeneyra to secure a kimura trap, ultimately forcing the referee to step in and call the fight off.

IMMAF

Amy Scully secures second IMMAF gold

Kelly's fellow team Ireland standout, Amy Scully, was more fortuitous. Back-to-back wins over Munisa Mirsidiqova and Irann Orozco, which included the first KO/TKO victory of her career so far, secured her spot in the Junior Atomweight final once again.

In an intriguing twist of fate, Scully's opponent in the final was a familiar foe. The athlete in question was Poland's Julia Głaz, the sole fighter to have handed Scully a loss over the course of her amateur career.

Despite the odds being stacked against her, Scully showed no sign of being daunted by the occasion, proudly making the walk to the cage with the tri-colour flag draped around her shoulders. In the fight itself, the returning Jr. Atomweight champion was relentless in her approach, bringing the fight to Głaz, and never letting her rival have a moment of success.

After three rounds of decisive action, the judges awarded Scully a unanimous decision victory, cementing her status as a two-time IMMAF World Champion, an accolade very few athletes can claim.

IMMAF

Conor McGregor offers message of support

Apart from Conor McGregor, Scully’s victory reverberated through the Irish MMA community, with many stars celebrating her historic accomplishment on social media, including UFC fighters Shauna Bannon and Kiefer Crosbie.

Conor McGregor himself would later comment on the highlights of Scully's title-winning victory, stating: "🇮🇪🇮🇪🥇🥇 Amy Scully Double Champ!"

At just 19 years old, Amy Scully’s future looks incredibly promising. With the ongoing support of McGregor, she has the potential to reach new heights in her MMA career.