Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Conor McGregor

How Conor McGregor built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Conor McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist, renowned for his achievements in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He notably held the UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion titles simultaneously, marking him as the first UFC fighter to achieve championships in two weight classes concurrently. Prior to his UFC career, McGregor also held simultaneous Featherweight and Lightweight Champion titles in the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC).

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

February 2007: MMA Debut

On 17 February 2007, at the age of 18, Conor McGregor made his mixed martial arts debut in an amateur fight against Kieran Campbell for the Irish Ring of Truth promotion in Dublin, winning via TKO in the first round.

March 2008: First Professional MMA Bout

On 9 March 2008, Conor McGregor had his first professional MMA bout, as a lightweight, defeating Gary Morris with a second-round TKO.

2008: Begins competing professionally in MMA

In 2008, Conor McGregor began competing professionally in mixed martial arts (MMA), fighting in the lightweight and featherweight divisions.

2008: Training at Straight Blast Gym

In 2008, Conor McGregor began training at the Straight Blast Gym (SBG) in Dublin under John Kavanagh.

2011: Winning streak begins

During 2011, Conor McGregor began an eight-fight winning streak.

2012: CWFC Titles

During 2012, Conor McGregor won both the CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight championships, becoming the first European professional mixed martial artist to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously.

February 2013: Meeting with Dana White

In February 2013, UFC president Dana White visited Dublin and, after meeting with Conor McGregor, offered him a contract to join the UFC.

February 2013: Signs UFC Contract

In February 2013, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced that they had signed Conor McGregor to a multi-fight contract.

April 2013: UFC Debut

On 6 April 2013, Conor McGregor made his UFC debut against Marcus Brimage at UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi, winning the fight by knockout in round one and earning his first "Knockout of the Night" award.

August 2013: Fight Against Holloway

On 17 August 2013, Conor McGregor fought Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 26, winning by unanimous decision. Following the bout, an MRI revealed he had torn his ACL.

2013: Signs with UFC

In 2013, Conor McGregor signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

July 2014: Fight Against Brandão

On 19 July 2014, Conor McGregor fought Diego Brandão at UFC Fight Night 46, winning by TKO in the first round and earning his first Performance of the Night award.

September 2014: Victory at UFC 178

On 27 September 2014, at UFC 178, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier, securing a first-round TKO victory and earning his second straight "Performance of the Night" award.

2014: Rematch with Dustin Poirier

In 2014, the original bout between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier took place, leading to their rematch in 2021.

January 2015: Victory at UFC Fight Night 59

On 18 January 2015, Conor McGregor faced Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 59, winning the fight via TKO in the second round and earning his third straight "Performance of the Night" award.

January 2015: Announcement of Aldo Fight

On 30 January 2015, the fight against José Aldo was announced at UFC 183. Following the announcement McGregor and Aldo embarked on a world tour.

January 2015: Aldo Fight Announcement

On 30 January 2015, the highly anticipated bout between Conor McGregor and José Aldo was announced at the UFC 183 Q&A for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship.

July 2015: Scheduled Fight at UFC 189

On 11 July 2015, Conor McGregor was expected to face José Aldo at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship.

February 2016: Press Conference for UFC 196

On 24 February 2016, a press conference was held to promote the UFC 196 main event between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, where both men traded insults.

March 2016: UFC 196 fight

On 5 March 2016, Conor McGregor faced Nate Diaz at UFC 196 in a welterweight bout.

November 2016: Time Off From UFC

After winning the lightweight championship at UFC 205, Conor McGregor announced he would take time off from the UFC since his first child was due in November 2016.

June 2017: Terms Agreed for Fight With Mayweather

On 14 June 2017, Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. came to terms after months of negotiations and announced their boxing match to take place on 26 August.

June 2017: Announcement of Boxing Match against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

On 14 June 2017, it was announced that Conor McGregor would compete in his first professional boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr., scheduled for 26 August 2017.

August 2017: Boxing Match against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In August 2017, it was announced that Conor McGregor would compete in his first professional boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr., on August 26, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The fight was broadcast on Showtime PPV in the US and Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.

August 2017: Details of McGregor vs. Mayweather Fight Announced

In August 2017, it was announced that Mayweather and McGregor would compete for the WBC Money Belt. Mayweather was guaranteed $100 million, and McGregor was guaranteed $30 million. The fight resulted in Mayweather winning via TKO in the 10th round.

2017: UFC Lightweight Championship & Boxing Match

In 2017, Conor McGregor won the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 205 by defeating Eddie Alvarez. He also transitioned to professional boxing, facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a highly publicized bout.

2017: Boxing Match Against Mayweather

In 2017, Conor McGregor's boxing match against Floyd Mayweather generated over 5.3 million buys across the United States and the United Kingdom.

2017: McGregor's Endorsement Deals Reach $7 Million

In 2017, McGregor's endorsement deals totaled $7 million, with endorsements from Beats by Dre, Monster Energy, Reebok and Bud Light.

September 2018: McGregor Launches Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey

In September 2018, McGregor launched Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey in Ireland and the United States. The whiskey is named after the Crumlin neighbourhood in Dublin 12, where McGregor grew up.

March 2019: Retirement Announcement

On 26 March 2019, Conor McGregor announced his retirement on social media, though it was viewed as a ploy by Dana White.

April 2019: Eligibility to Compete Again

On 6 April 2019, McGregor became eligible to compete again after serving his six-month suspension for the UFC 229 post-fight brawl.

January 2020: Victory Over Cerrone at UFC 246

On 18 January 2020, after over a year away from the Octagon, Conor McGregor faced Donald Cerrone at UFC 246, winning the fight via technical knockout 40 seconds into the first round and earning a Performance of the Night award.

June 2020: Second Retirement Announcement

On 6 June 2020, Conor McGregor announced once more that he was retiring from fighting.

January 2021: Loss to Poirier at UFC 257

On 24 January 2021, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, losing the fight via technical knockout in the second round, marking the first knockout loss in his career. He was later handed a 6-month medical suspension.

July 2021: Loss to Poirier at UFC 264

On 10 July 2021, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier for a third time at UFC 264, losing the fight via technical knockout in round one after suffering a broken lower tibia.

2021: Forged Irish Stout launched

In 2021, Conor McGregor officially launched Forged Irish Stout.

2021: McGregor and Partners Sell Majority Stake in Proper No. Twelve

In 2021, McGregor and his business partners sold their majority stake in the Proper No. Twelve company to Proximo Spirits for a reported $600 million.

August 2022: Lobov Alleges He Pitched Whiskey Idea to McGregor

In an August 2022 interview, Artem Lobov alleged that McGregor was initially headed towards creating a vodka product, but it was Lobov who pitched the idea of doing a whiskey instead. Lobov also stated that he did the background study and conducted business deals for the product.

2022: Cast in Road House Remake

In 2022, Conor McGregor was cast alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in a remake of the 1989 film Road House.

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February 2023: Coaching The Ultimate Fighter 31

In February 2023, Conor McGregor began coaching The Ultimate Fighter 31, marking his second time in the role, with Michael Chandler as the opposing coach. The filming of the show commenced during this month.

August 2023: The Ultimate Fighter 31 airs on television

From May to August 2023, The Ultimate Fighter 31 aired on television, featuring Conor McGregor as a coach alongside Michael Chandler.

December 2023: McGregor Considers Running for President of Ireland

In December 2023, it was reported that McGregor was considering running for the office of President of Ireland, with Elon Musk endorsing the idea. McGregor cited concerns over the allocation of the nation's funds and a feeling of being ignored by the people as reasons for his potential candidacy. A poll found that eight percent of people would vote for him.

April 2024: Part-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

On 27 April 2024, it was announced that McGregor and his company "McGregor Sports and Entertainment" became part-owners of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).

June 2024: UFC 303 Fight Cancellation

In June 2024, following speculation due to a cancelled press conference, the UFC officially announced the cancellation of Conor McGregor's welterweight bout against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, citing a broken toe injury sustained by McGregor.

March 2025: McGregor Visits White House, Claims Ireland Losing Irishness

On March 17, 2025, McGregor visited the White House at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump for a Saint Patrick's Day event. During the visit, McGregor claimed that Ireland was "on the cusp of losing its Irishness" due to an "illegal immigration racket." His comments were widely condemned by Irish political figures. He also announced his intention to stand as an independent candidate in the 2025 Irish presidential election.

August 4, 2025: McGregor Launches Petition to Change Electoral Rules

On August 4, 2025, McGregor launched an online petition aimed at circumventing the Irish constitution and allowing for a direct popular vote on who can appear on the ballot for president, hoping to pressure a change in the current electoral rules.

September 15, 2025: McGregor Withdraws from Presidential Race

On September 15, 2025, McGregor announced that he was withdrawing from the presidential race after "careful consideration."

March 2026: Eligibility to compete again after suspension

In March 2026, Conor McGregor becomes eligible to compete again after serving an eighteen-month suspension for failing to disclose his whereabouts for drug testing on three occasions in 2024.