Conor McGregor is an Irish mixed martial artist and boxer. He is the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight and lightweight champion. He has also competed as a welterweight in mixed martial arts (MMA), and light middleweight in boxing. As of March 18, 2021, he is #12 in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
McGregor began his professional MMA career in 2008 and, in 2012, he won both the Cage Warriors Featherweight and Lightweight Championships, holding both titles concurrently before vacating them to sign with the UFC. In 2015, at UFC 194, McGregor defeated José Aldo for the UFC Featherweight Championship via knockout thirteen seconds into the first round, which earned him Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night honors. Upon defeating Eddie Alvarez for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 205, McGregor became the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. He is also the first fighter to hold two UFC titles concurrently.
Table of Contents:
1. Early Life
2. Mixed Martial Arts Career
3. UFC Featherweight Championship
4. UFC Lightweight Championship
5. Boxing Career
6. Business Ventures
7. Media
8. Controversies
9. Personal Life
10. Legacy
11. Top Conor McGregor Quotes
Early Life
Conor Anthony McGregor was born in Crumlin, Dublin on 14 July 1988, the son of Tony and Margaret McGregor. He was raised in Crumlin and attended a Gaelscoil and secondary school at Coláiste de hÍde in Tallaght, where he also developed his passion for sport, playing football.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
McGregor started his mixed martial arts (MMA) career in 2008, when he was 19 years old, with the Irish company Straight Blast Gym (SBG) in Dublin. He made his professional MMA debut in Dublin on 9 March 2008, when he defeated Kieran Campbell for the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC) Featherweight Championship via technical knockout (TKO) in the second round.
In 2010, McGregor moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, to train with boxing coach John Kavanagh at SBG Ireland.
UFC Featherweight Championship
McGregor made his UFC debut against Marcus Brimage on 6 April 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. In his second UFC bout, McGregor defeated Max Holloway on 19 July 2013 at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
On 11 August 2013, it was announced that McGregor would replace an injured José Aldo at UFC 169 to face then-featherweight champion,Renan Barão for the UFC Interim Featherweight Championship. McGregor won the fight via TKO in the fourth round to become the UFC interim featherweight champion.
UFC Lightweight Championship
On 6 December 2015, at UFC 194, McGregor defeated José Aldo by knockout just 13 seconds into the first round to become the undisputed UFC Featherweight Champion. This was the fastest victory in a UFC title fight.
On 12 November 2016, at UFC 205, McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez by technical knockout in the second round to become the UFC Lightweight Champion, becoming the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously.
Boxing Career
On 14 June 2017, it was announced that McGregor would compete in his first professional boxing match against the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr., the reigning world champion in five weight classes, on 26 August 2017 at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
The fight was dubbed “The Money Fight” and was scheduled for twelve rounds at 154 pounds (70 kg). McGregor lost the fight by technical knockout in the tenth round.
Business Ventures
In February 2015, McGregor launched his own fashion label, August McGregor. In September 2016, McGregor launched his own whiskey, Proper No. Twelve.
In 2017, McGregor signed a deal with Betsafe to become their brand ambassador.
Media
In March 2015, McGregor was the focus of an episode of the HBO show UFC Road to the Octagon, which followed him and then-featherweight champion José Aldo during the lead-up to their fight at UFC 189.
In August 2016, McGregor starred in the HBO documentary Conor McGregor: Notorious, which chronicles his rise to UFC stardom.
Controversies
In April 2018, McGregor was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief after attacking a bus containing UFC fighters at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
In October 2018, McGregor was sentenced to five days of community service and ordered to attend anger management classes, as well as pay restitution for the damage caused to the bus.
Personal Life
McGregor has been in a relationship with Dee Devlin since 2008. The couple have two children together: a son, born in 2017, and a daughter, born in 2019.
Legacy
McGregor is considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. He has been ranked as the greatest MMA fighter of all time by multiple publications, including ESPN, Sherdog, and MMAjunkie.
Top Conor McGregor Quotes
“The thing about the truth is, not a lot of people can handle it.”– Conor McGregor
“I don’t feel pressure in a negative way. I like pressure. I feel excitement and calm at the same time. No pressure, no diamonds. I want pressure: pressure creates drama, creates emotion.”– Conor McGregor
“To do anything to a high level, it has to be total obsession.”– Conor McGregor
“What someone else does or doesn’t do has no effect on me and what I do.”– Conor McGregor
“Why go through life if you’re not going to challenge yourself?”– Conor McGregor
“Nothing good ever comes from worrying or sitting there feeling sorry for yourself… keep positive and keep pushing on and things will turn good.”– Conor McGregor
“I enjoy competition. I enjoy challenges. If a challenge is in front of me and it appeals to me, I will go ahead and conquer it.”– Conor McGregor
“I keep having vivid dreams of success. Then it’s time to sleep.”– Conor McGregor
“I feel you’re in charge of your own situation.”– Conor McGregor
“What defines us is how well we rise after falling.”– Conor McGregor
“I’ve always felt like there was a lot of hype around me even when there wasn’t. I felt like everyone was talking about me even when no one was talking about me.”– Conor McGregor
“Be grateful with everything you have and you will be successful in everything you do.”– Conor McGregor
“I’ve read a lot of books on the laws of attraction, and in my home, I have a big book on Muhammad Ali, which I’ve read because he is, like, a hero of mine, but other than that, no, I’m not a big reader.”– Conor McGregor
“I am fearless.”– Conor McGregor
“People like to blame others. I think a person should just look at their own situation, look around them, find out what they wish to do, and seek and go and do that. And that’s it.”– Conor McGregor
“There’s people that tried to celebrate when I lost that got nothing to do with it. That’s not the sign of a champion.”– Conor McGregor
“People are so caught in a routine, doing the same things over and over.”– Conor McGregor
“I’m just looking to learn, grow, stay focused, and become a better fighter and a better athlete.”– Conor McGregor
“I always put myself out there. I’m not afraid to commit to something.”– Conor McGregor
“I believe in believing. My coach John Kavanagh is a big atheist, and he is always trying to persuade people to his way of thinking, and I think, ‘What a waste of energy.’ If people want to believe in this god or that god, that’s fine by me; believe away. But I think we can be our own gods. I believe in myself.”– Conor McGregor
“I said football stadiums. I said world titles. This is what I said and this is what is happening. It’s a beautiful thing when you have the ability to predict the future, and that is what I feel I have.”– Conor McGregor
“Life is about growing and improving and getting better.”– Conor McGregor
“There’s no talent here, this is hard work. This is an obsession. Talent does not exist, we are all human beings. You could be anyone if you put in the time. You will reach the top, and that’s that. I am not talented, I am obsessed.”– Conor McGregor
“Why go through life if you’re not going to challenge yourself?”– Conor McGregor
“Doubt is only removed by action. If you’re not working then that’s where doubt comes in.”– Conor McGregor
“The more you seek the uncomfortable, the more you will become comfortable.”– Conor McGregor
“I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. Keep proving people wrong and proving myself right.”– Conor McGregor
“If you are surrounded by your competition and you are outworking these people, outmanoeuvring these people, it’s hard not to let your confidence take over. It just builds and builds and builds.”– Conor McGregor
“There are a lot of people who don’t know me and what I am all about.”– Conor McGregor
“If you deserve it, go get it.”– Conor McGregor
“You must improvise, adapt, and overcome.”– Conor McGregor
“I’m just a kid that defied the odds. I’m just a kid that ignored the doubt. I’m just a kid from a little place in Dublin, Ireland, that went all the way, and I’m going to continue to go all the way.”– Conor McGregor
“I take inspiration from everyone and everything. I’m inspired by current champions, former champions, true competitors, people dedicated to their dream, hard workers, dreamers, believers, achievers.”– Conor McGregor
“Nobody is my boss.”– Conor McGregor
“If you deserve it, go get it.”– Conor McGregor
“I’m just trying to be myself. I’m not trying to be anyone else.”– Conor McGregor
“I was always a dreamer, and my first ambition was to be a footballer. I’d be out in the field doing drills after it got dark at night. So I had that passion to get somewhere and a drive to do something. I did love football and was always more into playing it than watching it. When I found combat sport, however, it just took over. It’s non-stop now.”– Conor McGregor
“My success isn’t the result of arrogance, it’s the result of belief.”– Conor McGregor
“I stay ready so I don’t have to get ready.”– Conor McGregor
“I’m not going to get somewhere and say, ‘OK, I’m done.’ Success is never final; I’ll just keep on going. The same way as failure never being fatal. Just keep going. I’m going to the stars and then past them.”– Conor McGregor
“We’re not just here to take part. We’re here to take over.”– Conor McGregor
“I am cocky in prediction. I am confident in preparation. But I am always humble in victory or defeat.”– Conor McGregor
“Competition gives me energy. It keeps me focused.”– Conor McGregor
“My dream is to be World Lightweight Champion in the UFC. Have more money than I know what to do with. And have a great life for my kids, grandkids, and everyone in my family.”– Conor McGregor
“Ritual is another word for fear, manifested in a different way.”– Conor McGregor
“It’s not really that much big of a deal – you brush it off and you come back. Defeat is the secret ingredient to success.” – Conor McGregor
“Some people take defeat and losses a certain way. You see how some fighters take losses.”– Conor McGregor
“Life’s a rollercoaster. You’re up one minute; you’re down one minute. But who doesn’t like rollercoasters?”– Conor McGregor
“I fear no man. If you breathe oxygen, I do not fear you.”– Conor McGregor
“Always look to learn. Learning something new is a great feeling. The feeling of progress.” – Conor McGregor
Sources: Wikipedia ESPN Twitter Instagram Facebook Forbes UFC Sherdog Conor McGregor Fox Sports