Conor McGregor ad banned for odd reason

A Budweiser ad featuring UFC star Conor McGregor has been banned by Ireland's national public service broadcaster for quite an unusual reason.

Radio Teilifis Eireann (RTE) has apparently banned the TV spot for promoting underage drinking, according to Independent.ie.

"The 40-second video, titled 'Dream Big', features McGregor giving a short motivational speech, but according to the Sunday Business post, the national broadcaster has opted against showing it as they feel that it might encourage young people to drink alcohol," the report reads.

Even though McGregor isn't even shown drinking in the ad, current advertising regulations in Ireland prohibit the marketing of alcohol towards children by the use of "heroes of the young". McGregor is an Irish sports hero who is known internationally, so he certainly falls into that category.

According to Irishmirror.ie, Budweiser Ireland responded to the situation by proudly endorsing McGregor as an ambassador of their brand, and saying that the commercial had been audited and approved by an independent pre-vetting service.

"Conor is an aspirational figure for people who wish to follow their dreams and ambitions," the company said in a statement (via Irishmirror.ie). "Based on independent statistics research, Conor McGregor has an overwhelming adult appeal."

McGregor, who recently lost to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, is expected to rematch Diaz for the belt at UFC 200 in July.

Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is not happy with that reported match-up.
The Brazilian called out both fighters on Twitter shortly after the announcement was made.

Dos Anjos was scheduled to fight McGregor at UFC 196 before dropping out of the bout due to a broken foot. Before that, however, dos Anjos had won his previous five fights, including a three-round beatdown of Diaz at UFC Fight Night in Phoenix.

RDA has made it known that he asked the UFC for Diaz or welterweight champion Robbie Lawler but was told the UFC had different plans for him.

So if dos Anjos does get booked at UFC 200, he'll likely be fighting under a match-up between a guy he was supposed to fight and a guy he's already soundly beaten.

- news.com.au