From John McCain to Fine Gaelers in the Seanad, MMA has never been the most popular sport in the corridors of power. However, the sport does have at least one ardent follower in Leinster House.
Fianna Fail's highest profile female politician, Senator Averil Power has announced she is 'a big fan' of the sport on Ryan Tubridy's 2FM show this morning. During the interview, she also detailed her part-time boxing career.
I think it's an incredible sport. You've got people who are at the top of their game in jujitsu, in other martial arts, in boxing, then taking it the next level up, and training incredibly hard. I mean, the work that Conor McGregor has to put in to compete at that level is extraordinary. I think we should be really proud of him and the other Irish fighters we have including Aisling Daly.... I think a lot of the criticism of UFC, and indeed of other sports, I boxed in my spare time and there used to be a lot of criticism of women's boxing a few years when Katie was just starting, and people are saying 'I don't think that's appropriate...' I think a lot of that comes from people who don't know anything about the sport.
Power said she had fought a Green Party councillor and a rugby player for charity though she did not say whether she won or not. Asked who she'd like to challenge in the ring, she suggested her and Noone get into the ring with her.
I might have to challenge Catherine now, I hear that she said she’s willing to be educated for it. I’ll have to talk to her.
So, it looks as if one politician will be staying up late watching McGregor this Sunday. Of course, if Charlie Haughey was still around, he'd probably have show up in Boston for the prize giving ceremony.
On a darker note, Power defended Noone from online abuse and revealed that she too has received rape threats online over her advocacy on behalf of Palestine. She reported the threat to the Gardai.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cQi5NCXBlU
