Conor McGregor, the renowned MMA fighter, and his fiancée Dee Devlin are quietly orchestrating a wedding that promises to be as headline-grabbing as any of his bouts in the octagon. Sources close to the couple have revealed that they are hoping to tie the knot before Christmas 2025, and their sights are set on none other than the eternal city of Rome. But this isn't just any Roman wedding—McGregor and Devlin are aiming for a ceremony within the hallowed walls of the Vatican, near the iconic St Peter's Basilica.
The couple, who have been together since 2008 and became engaged on August 8, 2020, just ahead of Dee's 33rd birthday, have always kept their private life relatively guarded. Yet, this latest development has caught the attention of fans and the media alike, especially given the secrecy and grandeur surrounding their plans. With four children—one girl and three boys—the family splits their time between Ireland, where they reside in Straffan, Co. Kildare, and travels abroad. McGregor's mother even lives next door to their Irish home, underscoring the tight-knit family dynamic.
So, what makes this wedding so special? For McGregor and Devlin, both devout Catholics, a Vatican wedding carries deep spiritual significance. According to a source quoted by the Irish Mirror, "Conor and Dee want to get married before Christmas and are planning a wedding at the Vatican in Rome. They are both staunch Catholics and it is their dream to wed there." Their initial wish was to exchange vows in the world-famous Sistine Chapel, a place where Popes are elected under Michelangelo's breathtaking frescoes. However, Vatican regulations strictly prohibit weddings in the Sistine Chapel, forcing the couple to consider alternative venues nearby.
Currently, the leading contender is the Cappella del Caro, a small but elegant church adjacent to St Peter's Basilica. This chapel can accommodate about 100 guests, making it ideal for a private and intimate gathering. The grandeur of St Peter's Basilica itself is also under consideration, with its daily wedding slots at 10:30 AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Wednesdays are off-limits for weddings, as the Pope holds his weekly mass and public audience, a tradition that even the most famous of couples cannot bypass.
While the couple's dream venue remains just out of reach, the anticipation and excitement are palpable. December 12, 2025, has emerged as the most likely date for the wedding, though sources caution that nothing has been set in stone. As one insider put it, "It is all hush hush at the moment but December 12 is the date mentioned so we will have to wait and see." The secrecy is not just about privacy—it's also about ensuring that the logistics of such a high-profile event in a sacred and secure location can be managed without a hitch.
Of course, this wedding is unfolding against a backdrop of significant personal and legal challenges for McGregor. In 2024, the High Court found him guilty of sexually assaulting Nikita Hand, a case that made headlines far beyond Ireland. McGregor has consistently denied the allegations, insisting the contact was consensual, but the courts did not accept his version of events. He lost his appeal in July 2025 and was ordered to pay €248,000 in damages, along with substantial legal fees. The fallout was swift and severe: brands distanced themselves from the fighter, including his own whiskey label, Proper No Twelve, which he had created and later sold. The scandal also derailed any ambitions he may have had for political office, barring him from standing in the recent Presidential election.
Dee Devlin has stood by McGregor throughout these turbulent times, offering unwavering support as the family weathered the storm of public scrutiny. Friends and observers have noted her resilience and loyalty, qualities that have been tested repeatedly in the glare of the media spotlight. The couple's commitment to each other, forged over nearly two decades, appears as strong as ever, even as they navigate the complexities of fame, family, and faith.
Yet, the legal wrangling is not over. McGregor was due back in the High Court in November 2025 for a heated dispute with his former sparring partner, Artem Lobov. The case centers around an alleged oral agreement in which Lobov claims he was promised a five percent share of the Proper No Twelve whiskey deal, owing to his pivotal role in developing the brand. The proceedings, however, were postponed due to the illness of a key financial advisor witness who worked for McGregor. The Irish Mirror reports that the case is now unlikely to resume until March or April 2026, prolonging the uncertainty for both parties.
Despite these setbacks, McGregor remains determined to move forward with his life, placing a renewed focus on his family and faith. Friends suggest that the desire for a calm, private, and holy wedding is more than just a romantic gesture—it's an attempt to reclaim some peace and dignity after a tumultuous period. The Vatican, with its centuries-old traditions and spiritual gravitas, offers the kind of sanctuary the couple craves.
The logistics of a Vatican wedding are notoriously complex, with strict rules and limited availability. Couples from around the world dream of marrying in St Peter's Basilica, but only a handful are granted the privilege each year. The process involves extensive paperwork, approval from church authorities, and careful coordination with Vatican officials. For McGregor and Devlin, accustomed to the spotlight and the demands of celebrity life, the challenge is as much about discretion as it is about devotion.
As the rumored December date approaches, speculation is mounting about the guest list, the ceremony, and whether the couple will succeed in pulling off their dream wedding in the heart of Rome. Will the Vatican grant them their wish, or will logistical hurdles force them to choose a less prominent venue? For now, the couple remains tight-lipped, with only close friends and family in the know.
One thing is certain: this wedding, if it goes ahead as planned, will be one of the most talked-about events in both the sporting and celebrity worlds. It marks not just a personal milestone for McGregor and Devlin, but also a potential turning point as they seek to put recent controversies behind them and look toward a future defined by faith, family, and a little bit of Roman magic.
As the couple continues their preparations, all eyes will be on Rome this December to see if Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin can realize their dream of a Vatican wedding—an event that would blend the sacred and the spectacular in true McGregor style.