Conor McGregor swapped his fight gloves for a suit this week, making an unexpected detour to the White House on Monday for a high-profile chat with President Donald Trump. The former UFC two-division champ didn’t just snag a quick meet-and-greet at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue—he got the full VIP treatment, complete with a face-to-face with Trump and a chance to jaw with the press about issues back in his native Ireland. In a video snippet dropped by Margo Martin, Special Assistant to the President and Communications Advisor, McGregor laid on some rare praise, telling Trump, “Your work ethic is inspiring.” Coming from a guy who’s built his brand on brash bravado and knockout power, that’s not the kind of line you’d expect—but it’s a sign McGregor’s playing a bigger game these days.

Hailing from Dublin, McGregor’s always had a loud voice when it comes to Ireland. Lately, he’s been firing off tweets like a machine gun, slamming the Irish government’s immigration policies and dropping hints he might run for office someday. Love him or hate him, the man’s got opinions, and he’s not afraid to let them fly. So when he found himself surrounded by reporters at the White House, he seized the moment to wax poetic about the bond between Ireland and the U.S. “Ireland and America, we are siblings,” McGregor said. “We consider America our big sibling, so it’s important for Ireland to be a peaceful, prosperous country, for the 40 million Irish-Americans to have a place to visit. To come back to their home. So we wish for our relationship with the United States to continue.

“We wish to be taken care of by the big bro. The United States should look after its little bro and that’s how we feel.” It’s a surprisingly earnest take from a guy who’s spent more time trash-talking opponents than playing diplomat. McGregor painted a picture of Ireland as the scrappy little brother leaning on its powerhouse sibling—a sentiment that might’ve raised a few eyebrows back home, but one that clearly resonated in the room. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was all smiles, rolling out the green carpet for the Irish star. “We couldn’t think of a better guest to have with us on St. Patrick’s Day,” she said, tying the visit to the holiday’s vibe. Trump’s apparently been keeping tabs on McGregor too—during a recent sit-down with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, he gushed, “I do happen to like your fighter, he’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen.” When the former president’s complimenting your ink, you know you’ve made an impression.

McGregor’s no stranger to stealing the spotlight outside the cage, and at 36, he’s still a magnet for headlines—good, bad, and everything in between. He’s been the face of MMA for years, racking up a fanbase that spans the globe thanks to his larger-than-life persona and a fight record that includes titles at 145 and 155 pounds. But lately, the headlines have been less about knockouts and more about courtroom drama. Last November, a Dublin civil court found him liable for a 2018 sexual assault, ordering him to cough up roughly $258,440 to Nikita Hand. McGregor and his camp are scrambling to appeal that verdict, but the hits keep coming—there’s another civil suit brewing over an alleged assault at a Miami Heat game in June 2023. Legal woes aside, this White House trip proves he’s still got the clout to land invites most fighters can only dream of. From Dublin streets to D.C.’s power corridors, McGregor’s reach is undeniable.

This isn’t his first brush with high rollers either. Back in 2017, he hobnobbed with celebrities and sports icons during his boxing circus with Floyd Mayweather—a spectacle that made him a household name beyond MMA. Now, rubbing elbows with Trump, he’s dipping his toes into a different kind of arena. Could this be a warmup for that political run he keeps teasing? McGregor’s been vocal about wanting to “fix” Ireland, railing against everything from border policies to economic struggles. His “big bro, little bro” riff might be a pitch to cozy up U.S. support—or just Conor being Conor, spinning a yarn for the cameras. Either way, it’s a far cry from the days of cage-side mic rants and whiskey-fueled pressers.

The visit’s timing couldn’t be more poetic, landing right on St. Patrick’s Day—a holiday McGregor’s practically built to embody with his Irish pride and larger-than-life swagger. Whether he’s sipping Proper No. Twelve with Trump or laying out his vision for transatlantic unity, McGregor’s proving he’s still got the juice to keep the world watching. Fighting might’ve made him a star, but it’s these off-the-wall moments that keep him in the game. With legal battles looming and no UFC return in sight, this White House detour might just be the opening act to whatever wild chapter comes next for the “Notorious” one.