On July 14, 2025, former UFC champion Conor McGregor found himself embroiled in a new scandal that quickly captured the public’s attention. American rapper Azealia Banks publicly accused McGregor of sending her unsolicited explicit images and threatening her to stay silent about the incident. The allegations surfaced on McGregor’s 37th birthday, adding a controversial note to the celebrations and stirring a firestorm on social media.
Banks took to her official X account (formerly Twitter) early that morning to share a series of posts detailing what she described as inappropriate and harassing behavior from the Irish fighter. She posted uncensored screenshots of direct messages allegedly sent by McGregor, which showed him completely naked in what appeared to be a closet, taking mirror selfies. One particularly striking image depicted McGregor with a weighted band around his penis, captioned “Lifting weights.”
In her posts, Banks did not mince words. She wrote, “How you gonna send a b* some crooked d pics then threaten her not to tell? Do you know who the f I am? This is HARAM.” The rapper also shared a chilling message she claimed McGregor sent immediately after the explicit photos: “Don’t be a rat cos all rats get caught.” Banks accused him of trying to intimidate her into silence, calling out the former two-division UFC champion for what she characterized as sexual harassment.
The rapper’s accusations were sharp and unrelenting. She mocked McGregor’s anatomy and political ambitions, writing, “Like how are you really going to sexually harass me with the potato farmer d then threaten me not to tell???? Honey… ain’t u trying to be the president of Ireland? What is it giving fam? Use some f*** sunscreen d.” This jab referenced McGregor’s recent statements about potentially running for president of Ireland on an anti-immigration platform, a move that has stirred debate in the country.
Adding fuel to the fire, Banks’ posts went viral almost instantly, drawing millions of views and sparking widespread discussion. However, not everyone was convinced by her claims. A vocal segment of social media users questioned the authenticity of the explicit images, suggesting they might be AI-generated. Comments such as “I ran it through an AI detection tool. It came back as fake,” and “That doesn’t even look like his arms,” circulated widely, with some accusing Banks of fabricating the scandal for attention.
Despite the controversy, McGregor himself remained publicly silent on the matter. Instead of addressing the allegations directly, he posted a simple birthday message on his X account: “Happy birthday to me!” This understated response contrasted sharply with the explosive nature of Banks’ accusations, leaving many to speculate on his next move.
The timing of the scandal also coincided with other developments in McGregor’s personal life. Just a day before Banks’ accusations, photos emerged showing McGregor kissing an unidentified woman on a beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This sighting reignited rumors of infidelity, as McGregor is engaged to Dee Devlin, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2008. The couple got engaged in 2020 and share four children under the age of eight. Devlin has generally maintained a low profile, often standing by McGregor through his many public controversies.
McGregor’s legal troubles have been mounting over the years, and the latest allegations add to a growing list of challenges. In 2024, an Irish court ordered him to pay nearly €200,000 in damages to a woman who accused him of rape in a civil case related to an alleged 2018 incident in a Dublin hotel. McGregor denied the allegations and has been appealing the verdict. Additionally, he faces another civil lawsuit in the United States, stemming from accusations of sexual assault during Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals at Miami’s Kaseya Center. McGregor’s legal team has denied all allegations, and the Florida State Attorney’s Office declined to pursue criminal charges in that case.
Beyond the courtroom, McGregor has also faced scrutiny for his social media activity. During the 2023 Dublin riots, he posted incendiary messages such as “Ireland, we are at war” and “Evaporate said property,” which raised questions about potential incitement. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions ruled that his comments did not meet the threshold for criminal charges, a decision McGregor celebrated publicly.
The accumulation of scandals, legal battles, and personal controversies paints a complex picture of a fighter whose public image is increasingly fraught with challenges. His recent flirtation with politics now faces significant hurdles, as allegations of sexual misconduct and public scandals threaten to undermine any serious campaign for public office in Ireland.
Meanwhile, the MMA world and his fans remain uncertain about McGregor’s future in the octagon. He has not competed since July 2021, though he has teased a potential return. Whether these personal and legal issues will affect his fighting career or political ambitions remains to be seen.
As for Banks, her public exposure of the alleged messages has thrust her into the spotlight once again, but the authenticity of her claims continues to be debated online. Both parties have remained largely silent on any potential legal actions or resolutions, leaving the situation unresolved for now.
In the midst of this swirling controversy, McGregor’s simple birthday message stands out as a cryptic statement—perhaps signaling resilience or detachment from the storm. The fight, at least for now, is far from over.
