Conor McGregor in Facebook rant over poppy criticism

CONOR McGregor has taken to Facebook to vent his anger at those who have criticised his decision to wear a poppy.

The Irish UFC star posted an enraged message on Thursday evening, saying that he didn't need "a stupid little flower” to illustrate his national allegiance.

Remembrance Day takes place on November 11, and it has caused controversy on previous occasions with well-known Irish figures choosing not to wear the poppy.

Irish soccer player James McClean has sparked strong reaction in the past for his refusal to wear a poppy.

In his Facebook post, McGregor said that he had the “blood of many nations on my gloves.”

 

The post has been ‘liked’ over 40,000 times and has been shared almost 7,000 times.

Some Facebook users have responded to McGregor’s post criticising the UFC fighter for his strongly worded stance on the matter.

“Lost so much respect for you, was a big fan!!! Hope Aldo takes your head off. #TeamAldo,” one user wrote.

Another posted: “Literally one of the stupidest things I’ve read. Used to really like you now after that I’ve lost respect for you. Soldiers fight for our freedom and lay lives on the line everyday for us and you do that. You absolute disgrace.”

It is believed that McGregor’s comment was posted in response to a post by a 1916 Facebook society of an old picture of him wearing a poppy.

 

He then took to his personal Twitter account following the strong reaction by fans to distance himself from any further comments over controversial decision to wear a poppy.

Fuck politics and fuck religion. I just want to swing a few lefts and a few rights for a couple of hundred mill in peace.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 29, 2015

McGregor will face Jose Aldo in a title unification bout on December 12.