Paddy McCorry, a rising MMA fighter from Northern Ireland, was seen in a viral video shouting “Free Palestine” in the face of Israeli fighter Shuki Farage during a bout over the weekend.
The incident occurred during a high-stakes match at a regional MMA event, where McCorry dominated his opponent before the referee stopped the fight.
In the final moments, as Farage lay dazed on the canvas, McCorry could be heard yelling the pro-Palestinian slogan, drawing both cheers and criticism from spectators and social media users.
The footage, captured from cageside, quickly went viral, prompting debate about political messaging in professional sports. Some hailed McCorry’s gesture as a bold statement of solidarity, while others condemned it as inappropriate and provocative in the context of an athletic competition.
Neither the promotion nor event organisers have issued a formal statement yet.
McCorry has not publicly addressed the incident, but his Instagram bio now includes a Palestinian flag emoji.
Farage, meanwhile, has not commented on the altercation or its political overtones.
