CONOR McGREGOR sent a birthday to convicted former mafia boss Michael Franzese Jr at the Black Forge Inn.
The UFC star spent an evening at his Dublin pub alongside the former gangster to toast what was the American’s 73rd birthday.
McGregor posted a number of photos from the weekend to Instagram, in which the MMA fighter could be seen alongside Franzese Jr.
The Irishman said: “Happy birthday @michaelfranzese_! #TopEarner”
Born on May 27, 1951, the son of former underboss Sonny Franzese, he was a caporegime in the Colombo crime family.
He was sentences to 10 years in prison on conspiracy charges In 1986, before being released in 1989.
Franzese was rearrested in 1991 for a parole violation, and ultimately released in 1994, after which he retired to California and is now a motivational speaker and writer.
He is believed to have been in Dublin after hosting a leg of his ‘The Re Made Man Tour’ in the Irish capital.
McGregor is preparing for his return to the UFC, when he takes on Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 on June 30.
The 35-year-old has not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, while he has lost four of his last five fights if you include his boxing exhibition against Floyd Mayweather.
Dublin will host a press conference for the fight at the 3Arena on Monday, June 3, although there have been some hiccups along the way.
Free tickets for the event were made available through Ticketmaster on Wednesday and were quickly snapped up.
However, those same tickets then re-emerged on resale for extortionate prices, much to the chagrin of fight fans.
Alan complained: “People selling them 100 euro already.”
Similarly, Jason posted: “Wtf, McGregor presser tickets are being sold online straight away.
“Should be ticket ID event admission. Classic Ireland.”
Fans of The Notorious raised alarm when social media footage emerged of him partying on Saturday.
However, the former two-weight world champion has insisted he’s sworn off alcohol ahead of his match-up with Michael Chandler.
And he was not holding a drink in any of the photos or videos that emerged from his night out with fiancée Dee Devlin.
McGregor said: “That’s unbelievable folks.
“I’ve six weeks… I’ve been off the drink, I’ve been off my beautiful products since the 10-week mark.
“We’re five weeks and five days out and I’m taking this seriously.”