Conor McGregor events the evening away after marrying Dee Devlin in secret ceremony within the Vatican
Conor McGregor was seen dancing the night away with his wife Dee Devlin at a lavish party after tying the knot in the Vatican.
The former MMA fighter, 37, married his long-time partner Ms Devlin, 38, during a secret ceremony at the Chiesa di Santo Stefano degli Abissini, a small church located just behind St Peter’s Basilica, on Friday.
Details of the event have been kept under wraps, although shortly after the wedding the couple were spotted being driven through Rome in a white 1930s Rolls Royce Phantom III adorned with flowers and ribbons.
The newlyweds were all smiles as they were whisked through the streets, with Conor sporting a black tux, waistcoat and bow tie.
Meanwhile, Ms Devlin – who shares four children with the Irishman – opted for a white lace dress accompanied with small diamond earrings and an updo hairstyle.
Celebrations lasted well into the night, as the couple were seen letting loose during a lavish party, featuring a live band and a roll your own cigar station, at an unknown location on Friday evening.
A video posted on social media shows McGregor posing for photos with his wife before breaking out some dance moves to Lionel Ritchie’s 1983 hit All Night Long.
He can be seen throwing his arms in the air, cigar in hand, as he and Ms Devlin hit the dancefloor with several other female guests sporting stylish sequined dresses.
Connor McGregor posing for photos with his wife Dee Devlin at a secret party on the day of their wedding in Rome
McGregor can be seen breaking out some dance moves to Lionel Ritchie’s 1983 hit All Night Long, throwing his arms in the air with a cigar in hand
McGregor and Ms Devlin hit the dancefloor with several other female guests sporting stylish sequined dresses
The wedding ceremony was kept tightly under wraps, with sources close to the MMA fighter only confirming to the Daily Mail that the wedding was taking place on Friday.
Previously, insiders said their preferred venue, the Sistine Chapel, was not an option as Vatican rules prohibit weddings there.
Speaking about the wedding, a source close to McGregor said: ‘Conor and Dee want to get married before Christmas and are planning a wedding at the Vatican in Rome.
‘They are both staunch Catholics and it is their dream to wed there.
‘They ideally would like to marry in the Sistine Chapel but it is not allowed so they may have to settle for the Cappella del Caro which can accommodate 100 people beside St Peter’s Basilica.
‘It is all hush hush at the moment but December 12 is the date mentioned so we will have to wait and see.’
McGregor has credited Ms Devlin for keeping him grounded. He previously said: ‘Dee is a lifesaver for me. I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for her. I’m doing all of this for her.’
He added: ‘Every day, since I started out in this game, she’s supported me. She’d drive me to the gym, and she’d listen to all my dreams.’
The former MMA fighter, 37, pictured with his long-time partner Ms Devlin, 38, in September
Conor McGregor kisses his long term partner Ms Devlin as they attend an event at Cannes Film Festival in May 2022
Ms Devlin has remained publicly supportive of McGregor following last year’s High Court civil case in Dublin, in which a jury found that he had sexually assaulted Nikita Hand at a hotel in 2018.
McGregor denied the allegation and claimed the encounter was consensual, but the court rejected his account.
In July, Ireland’s Supreme Court dismissed McGregor’s appeal, finding he had received a fair trial.
His lawyers had argued that his answers to the police during questioning should not have been put before the jury.
He was ordered to pay Ms Hand €248,000 (£218,000) in damages, along with high legal costs.
The civil action was taken after Irish prosecutors decided in 2019 not to bring criminal charges against McGregor following a Garda investigation.
Ms Hand later pursued the case through the civil courts, with proceedings beginning in 2021.
After last year’s civil case, Ms Devlin wrote: ‘Conor and I dealt with these issues privately many years ago, as should be done in a relationship, and we have come out stronger than ever.
‘We have four beautiful children now whose smiling faces and happy hearts are a testament to who he is and who we are!’
Last year, McGregor announced his intention to run for the presidency in Ireland.
However, he failed to secure enough support to appear on the ballot. He ended his bid in September.
At the time, he said the decision was made following ‘careful reflection, and after consulting with my family’.
