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Conor McGregor claims he has been saved by God and lives by His word - just months after losing his appeal in a high-profile civil rape case.
The MMA fighter, 37, said he has been on a 'spiritual journey' of healing as he toasted his fiancee Dee Devlin and their four children while wearing what appeared to be a wedding or engagement ring.
Devlin, 38, his partner of 16 years, has stood by him throughout his controversial career but the duo have never tied the knot.
In July he lost his attempt to overturn a civil rape case defeat, having been ordered to pay his victim Nikita Hand €250,000 (£218,000) plus costs last November.
He said on Thursday: 'I am not here just by chance. There is a higher power, God, that dictates my journey and all of our journeys.
'I live my life by God's word, since around the last time you mentioned at the last event, I have engaged on a spiritual journey. I am saved. I am healed.
Conor McGregor said he’s been on a spiritual journey over the past few weeks 🙏
“There is a higher power. I live my life by God’s word. I am saved. I am healed.” pic.twitter.com/lDLkmRWfZo
Conor McGregor says he has been saved and healed by God just months after losing his civil rape case appeal
He was also wearing a ring and hinted an an upcoming marriage to his long-term partner Dee Devlin
'On the back of that, the world is in for a treat. My competitive spark that was once in my heart is now a roaring blaze.
'I'm eager. Right now I have to dial myself in and go inward, and that I've done, and now I'm in a stage where I come back and show what I'm about.
'Now I'm here with my own family, my beautiful children, my fiancee, wife-to-be soon.'
McGregor was speaking in Rome promoting his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship ahead of an event on Saturday.
He has previously made some spiritual comments, writing in 2013 that he is a 'born-again Christian' - a reference to Jesus' language in the Gospel of John.
The Irishman is targeting a comeback at the much-anticipated UFC White House event next June, having not fought since 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
Earlier this month, he accepted an 18-month ban fighting for a violation of the UFC's Anti-Doping Policy. However, as his period of ineligibility began on September 20, 2024, he will be free to compete any time after March 20, 2026, making his available for any bout at Donald Trump's abode.
'You're going to see the best Conor McGregor you've ever seen when he returns to the Octagon,' said BKFC president David Feldman.
McGregor has not fought since 2021 but could return at the UFC White House event next June
The White House will host the event on Donald Trump's 80th birthday: June 14 2026
McGregor's comments suggest he may soon get married to Devlin, his long-term patner. The duo first met in 2008 and have been together for 16 years, back when he was unemployed and unknown. His fortune is now thought to be north of £150million.
Back in July, three judges in the Dublin Court of Appeal in Dublin rejected all five grounds of the MMA fighter's appeal after he was found liable of assaulting Ms Hand.
Mr McGregor, 37, was ordered to pay nearly €250,000, plus costs, in November after Ms Hand accused him of raping her at a hotel in Dublin in 2018.
He denied the allegation and said he had 'fully consensual sex' with the plaintiff, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin. He also denied causing bruising to the plaintiff.
Mr McGregor subsequently launched an appeal on the basis of five grounds, one of which involved new evidence that was withdrawn at a hearing earlier this month, but they were rebuffed.
Speaking outside the court afterwards, Ms Hand said: 'To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is but please don't be silenced. You deserve to be heard. You also deserve justice.
'Today I can finally move on and try to heal.'
