Who is Desmond Keogh and what's his relationship with Conor McGregor?

Desmond Keogh is a 50-year-old Ireland native. Keogh made news in 2019 when former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor infamously sucker-punched him at a local bar.

The incident took place at the Marble Arch in Dublin. Keogh was a long-time patron at the local pub.

In a recent interview with the Irish Mirror, the Dubliner mentioned that he had been drinking with his pals at the Marble Arch for the past 14 years.

The incident that made Keogh famous took place in April 2019 when Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor made a surprise visit to the Drimnagh, Dublin 12 pub. The former champion uncorked a bottle of his Proper No. 12 Irish whiskey for the people in attendance. McGregor then reportedly offered a free shot to Keogh, who declined it.

Aggravated by Desmond Keogh's refusal, Conor McGregor sniped at the Dubliner with a short left hand, a weapon Conor often uses against his opponents inside the cage. But despite getting hit by a UFC fighter, Keogh remained steadfast on his stool.

The video of the entire incident surfaced later on TMZ Sports and Keogh became an instant sensation in Ireland.

Connor has a bigger rematch - old man at the bar. pic.twitter.com/1i17LDm340

— Ol' Jack Burton (@ol_boat343) April 12, 2021

The entire fiasco ascertained one thing -- Desmond Keogh can definitely take a punch.

“I am sitting on the barstool just having a quiet pint with my friend then all of a sudden because I refuse his drink I get a punch, you don’t need that in life. Look-it, I can take a punch," said Desmond Keogh in his interview with the Irish Mirror.

Conor McGregor exacts revenge on Desmond Keogh two years after the incident

Conor McGregor attracted a lot of criticism following the assault on Desmond Keogh in 2019. The UFC superstar received severe backlash from fans, along with a €1000 fine from the authorities, for punching an 'old man'.

Although Conor McGregor offered a heartfelt apology for his misconduct, it appears the Irishman still holds a grudge against Desmond Keogh.

According to The Currency, The Notorious is about to buy the Marble Arch pub for a price between €1.5 million and €2 million. McGregor has exacted revenge on Desmond Keogh by barring him from entering the local pub.

Ye and your mans barred https://t.co/aVM5mcIA3F

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 22, 2021

However, Keogh appears to be unfazed by Conor McGregor's decision to shun him from the bar.

“I’m not really concerned because I probably wouldn’t be going back to it now. I wouldn't be going back anyway, probably especially now. I wouldn’t want to be spending money in his pub to be honest. I didn’t really make much of it. It’s no skin off my nose really," said Desmond Keogh.

Conor McGregor Buys The Pub He Punched That Old Guy In https://t.co/vS34B9Zf8L pic.twitter.com/RdjrHIIZrY

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 22, 2021