Boxer Ebanie Bridges catches up with UFC icon Conor McGregor as Katie Taylor takes first loss as pro

Australian boxing world champion Ebanie Bridges caught up with UFC icon Conor McGregor at ringside in Dublin to witness Irish star Katie Taylor suffer the first defeat of her professional career against Chantelle Cameron.

Taylor’s highly anticipated fight against Cameron went the distance and the judges scored it 95-95, 96-94, 96-94 in favor of the visitor in a decision that shocked everyone at the Dublin 3Arena.

Cameron defended her status as the undisputed light welterweight champion with the landslide win, while Taylor – the undisputed lightweight queen – fell short in her pursuit of becoming an undisputed two-division champion.

IBF Bantamweight Champion Bridges was there to support both female boxers, while McGregor cheered on Taylor.

The pair posed together for some ringside photos, with Bridges posting photos to social media with the caption, “Ringside with the one and only @TheNotoriousMMA.”

Australian boxing world champion Ebanie Bridges overtook UFC superstar Conor McGregor at ringside in Dublin for Taylor vs. Cameron fight

Bridges was there to cheer on both female boxers, while the Irishman cheered on Taylor

Before the fight, Bridges told the media that she expected a close fight from Taylor and Cameron – with Taylor likely raising her hand at the end.

“Taylor is gaining weight and going up against someone who is hungry, spiteful and strong,” Bridges told talkSPORT.

“If it wasn’t in Ireland I think Chantelle Cameron would win, but I think if she won in Ireland it would probably be a knockout or an extremely decisive victory.

And I don’t see that happening because they’re both so skilled and it’s going to be an exciting fight, but I do think Cameron can win.

“Taylor brings a lot of attributes that other fighters haven’t seen, like her hand speed, but Cameron also has speed, she’s ruthless, she’s taller, and she doesn’t have as much wear and tear.

“I’m really excited about this one, I think it’s more exciting than the Taylor vs [Amanda] Serrano fight.”

Taylor struggled to impose herself during the tense fight, with her opponent appearing to land the more damaging shots and apply more pressure.

Irish fans were shocked by the result, but afterwards the green army gathered around their girl and knocked her out of the ring before they went home.

Taylor struggled to impose herself during the tense fight, with her opponent appearing to land the more damaging shots and apply more pressure throughout the fight

Taylor was visibly moved by the shocking result – as were the Irish fans

“It was a close fight,” Cameron said. “Katie is a great fighter, pound for pound best female boxer there is, and I showed up for the occasion.”

She went on to credit her work rate for her victory at the post-fight press conference. She said: ‘I think my work rate. I am always fit. My work rate is something I always have confidence in. I was good at working on the inside.”

Cameron also said she would be open to fighting Taylor again and that the Irish boxer would like to “put this fight to bed.” She told reporters, “Taylor is going to want the rematch because she’s going to want to put this fight to bed and get the win. But it will be on my terms now.’

Matchroom promoter, Eddie Hearn, jumped in soon after, adding: ‘The biggest fight in women’s boxing is Chantelle Cameron vs Katie Taylor II. But Chantelle deserves her moment.’

Cameron said afterwards that she would be open to fighting Taylor again

However, not everyone thought Cameron deserved to win, including boxing superstar Clarissa Shields.

“Katie won this fight for me!” she wrote on Twitter after the fight. “If you want to say split or majority for Katie! But let’s see! Cameron did well, but didn’t dethrone the champion.’