THE MMA fighter has paid tribute to Ian, a young Irish man living with a spinal cord injury.
Mr O'Connell appeared on the Late Late Show on Friday night to tell his amazing tale of surviving a fall in Killarney National Park.
The survivor spoke of his life with a C4 spinal cord injury, which has left him paralysed from the neck down.
His brave show was not missed by Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor, who met him at an event on Saturday night and spoke of his brilliance.
McGregor shared a post on Instagram reading:
"Watching the Late Late show last night and on comes this young man @ianoconnell321!
I was blown away by him and his attitude to life and in facing adversity!
Truly blown away!
Then tonight, by complete chance, I bumped into him at an event and end up getting to watch the main event fight ringside with him!
What a night!
Thank you Ian it was great to meet you my brother, you are some man!
Your quote literally blew me away! “If you can’t stand up, STAND OUT!”
What a legend!
I think I speak for every Irish man and woman that watched you on the Late Late show last night by saying you are a true inspiration to us!
Thank you brother ❤️"
Both McGregor and O'Connell shared photos of their meeting.
See More: Conor McGregor
