He’s here to take over.
The JOE Men of the Year awards are just around the corner and aside from all of the other incredible categories and talented nominees, only one man-tastic man can walk away with the title of JOE Man of the Year 2015.
Each JOE writer will be making a case for Paul O’Connell, Rory O’Neill (Panti Bliss), Hozier, Shane Long and Jon Walters but Joe Harrington wants you to vote for Conor McGregor. Here’s why…
1) Describe his year using 5 emojis
2) Why he must be JOE Man of the Year
McGregor is the biggest star in the fastest growing sport in the world. That should be enough, but I’ll give you a few more reasons to vote for him.
‘The Notorious’ talks a lot of trash but he keeps backing it up and he’s done so in style twice this year. He made mincemeat of Dennis Siver in Boston in February and knocked Chad Mendes out in July.
The Mendes fight was McGregor’s first big test and he passed it with flying colours. Sure, Mendes cut him and put him under pressure on the ground but McGregor didn’t panic.
He kept his composure and when the window opened, BOOM, that left hand connected and left the American on his arse. A1.
Another reason McGregor should win JOE MOTY is because he’s complete box office.
Every time he opens his mouth, people listen, and he’s provided hours of entertainment in and out of the Octagon in 2015.
He was excellent on The Ultimate Fighter but one of of my highlights was his hilarious appearance on Conan before UFc 189.
I’m not sure there’s a more divisive athlete in the country than Conor McGregor, but I don’t understand why people don’t get behind him.
The way he, the other Irish fighters and their fans have impacted on UFC has been nothing short of remarkable.
The sight of tri-colours raised in the air, the sound of Olé, Olé, Olé filling arenas and the amazed reaction of the rest of the world must make you proud of be Irish.
McGregor is leading that.
He’ll face Jose Aldo on December 12 in what’s being billed as the biggest fight in UFC history. The biggest ever.
McGregor is making that happen, an Irishman is making that happen so get behind him, support him and while you’re at it, make him the JOE Man of the Year.
3) His stand-out moment
The emotion during his post-match interview after beating Chad Mendes at UFC 189 was amazing.
He worked his whole life to win that belt, it showed, and it was really classy the way he thanked everyone who has helped him along the way.
I love his comment about the Irish people and the Irish fans. “I swear to God I did this for us.” Watch the interview here.
4) What 2016 might bring
It’s going to be another big money-spinning year for ‘The Notorious’. If it’s a win or loss against Aldo on December 12, there will probably be a rematch in 2016. Cha-ching.
He’s the most bankable star in the game alongside Ronda Rousey so the endorsement deals should keep coming.
There’s no limit on what McGregor can do and his ambition and ferocious work rate will see his incredible rise continue.
Cast your vote for the JOE Man of the Year sponsored by Virgin Media here and on the rest of the JOE Men of the Year categories here.
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