Conor McGregor makes massive donation for Irish MMA fighter who broke his neck

Almost €120,000 has been raised for stricken Irish MMA fighter Ryan Curtis who broke his neck along other life-altering injuries during a training session last week.  

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up since his injuries to help cover medical costs for the pro flyweight fighter, with Conor McGregor donating £25,000 - almost €30,000 -  for the fighter who is currently in hospital in Belfast. 

Leah McCourt, who organised the fundraiser said on the GoFundMe page: "Ryan has suffered a broken back, broken neck and dislocated spine. During this injury, trauma was also caused to Ryan’s spinal cord. The damage is classified as the most severe that can happen to a spinal cord. He was rushed to the Royal in Belfast and underwent emergency surgery".

Currently Ryan has no movement in his legs or his left arm, she outlined.

"The road ahead is unknown and will involve at least 5 months of him in hospital, followed by a further period of time with a specialist spinal team. There is no exact end date to when this treatment will be complete," she said.

Ryan is a dad to 2 year old Kassia.

Bellator veteran Ryan Curtis suffers devastating spine injury, has no movement in legs and left arm https://t.co/c1UTEm2h3b

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 15, 2024

"Ryan has the most infectious positive outlook in life and has been through some of the most horrific circumstances always coming out a better human, man and friend.

"Understandably he is distressed at present, we have limited access to see him. He is in ICU and hopefully being moved to spinal ward when conditions improve. He is still showing his positive outlook, his determination and mindset to overcome yet another challenge that life has presented.

Statement re Ryan Curtis https://t.co/sGPDpWo1uS pic.twitter.com/gUokQ5HuvD

— Leah McCourt (@leahmccourtmma) January 13, 2024

"It’s times like this we thank God for the team of family and friends we have around Emma, Ryan and Kassia. The outpouring of love and support is a testament to who Ryan is as a human and how many people’s lives he has made better by simply knowing him," Leah said.

However, she added that Ryan will never be able to do what he loves, and fight or train in MMA again. "A sport he has dedicated his life to from the age of 11".

"Ryan will be out of work for the foreseeable future and we are trying to take any additional load or stress of Ryan’s family and daughter by creating a page to raise some funds to help towards rehabilitation, vital treatment, recovery and supporting his family," Leah said.