MMA Fighter's Palestine Protest: Victory and Controversy in Rome

Irish MMA Fighter's Palestine Shout at Israeli Opponent Sparks Debate Rome, Italy – In a surprising turn of events during a Cage Warriors MMA match in Rome on May 31st, 2025, Irish fighter Paddy McCorry injected a political statement into his victory. After defeating his Israeli opponent, Shuki Farage, a former Israeli soldier, McCorry shouted "Free Palestine" repeatedly. He further emphasized his message by celebrating his win with a Palestinian flag. "Free, free Palestine," McCorry could be heard shouting in the video. The footage clearly shows McCorry's emotional display following his victory. Farage, who has a history of posting photos of himself in Gaza on social media, did not publicly comment on the incident immediately following the fight. The event has generated significant online discussion and highlights the intersection of sports and politics on an international stage. The incident raises questions about the appropriate expression of political views in a sporting context and the potential impact on athletes' careers.