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Conor McGregor’s dream of fighting in Croke Park could suffer a major blow – because local residents look set to oppose an MMA fight at the iconic stadium.

The UFC featherweight champ revealed there is nothing he wants more than to fight back home on Irish soil.

He said: “If they offer me Croke Park, or if they offer me the football (Aviva) stadium, you’re damn right I’m gonna take it.”

But the chair of the vocal residents’ association in the area warned yesterday that locals could oppose these plans – just like they did with the planned five Garth Brooks concerts.

Pat Gates told the Irish Mirror: “I don’t think it would be something that we would be very keen to see coming to Croke Park.

"Personally speaking, I think the fights are very brutal and violent. I’d be surprised if the GAA would endorse that sport.

(Image: Twitter)

“I don’t know the type of people that follow him and what sort of atmosphere there is in terms of rowdiness, in terms of public order, they are all the things that we would be seriously concerned about.

“They would be my concerns and certainly it would be something that I would hate to see the GAA endorse. I don’t know if they would but money talks.”

“I’m not speaking for all the residents but I don’t think it would go down well.

“It’s something we would have to discuss but we would have perennial issues with the type of crowds and what impact that is likely to have on the residents.”

Last year, country singing legend Brooks’ five sell-out concerts in Croke Park were called off after Dublin City Council refused to licence two of the shows due to fierce objections from local residents.

In July this year, the Government rattled out strict new rules for concert promoters to prevent another shambles.

Ticket costs for the axed gigs were refunded to more than 400,000 heartbroken music fans.

In future, promoters must hold “pre-application” talks with the relevant local authority.

(Image: Niall Carson)

Failure to obey the guidelines will result in the automatic rejection of a license application.

In the future, licensing applications must also be lodged at least 13 weeks in

advance of an event.

Meanwhile McGregor could face six months on the sidelines after landing a medical suspension from his 13-second KO over Jose Aldo.

The injury concern is the very hand that put Brazilian Aldo on the canvas so soon in the first round, making “The Notorious” the undisputed featherweight champion.

More:

The Nevada Athletic Commission, which oversees all UFC events in the state, gave out nine possible suspensions because of injuries suffered at the MMA event on Saturday night at the MGM Grand.

McGregor must get his left wrist X-rayed or he will be out until June 12.

More:

Urijah Faber, McGregor’s rival coach on the Ultimate Fighter reality TV series, must get his left knee, right ankle and thumb checked among other fighters.

McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh has suggested that the Dubliner is already eyeing up bouts in both April and July.