How Conor McGregor built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Conor McGregor is a highly successful Irish mixed martial artist and businessman. He achieved prominence in the UFC, becoming the first fighter to simultaneously hold titles in two weight classes (Featherweight and Lightweight). Prior to his UFC success, he was also a two-division champion in Cage Warriors. McGregor's achievements have solidified his status as one of the sport's biggest stars.
February 2007: Amateur MMA Debut
On 17 February 2007, McGregor made his mixed martial arts debut in an amateur fight against Kieran Campbell, winning via TKO in the first round.
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March 2008: First Professional MMA Bout
On 9 March 2008, McGregor had his first professional MMA bout, defeating Gary Morris with a second-round TKO.
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2008: Professional MMA Debut
In 2008, McGregor began competing on the professional mixed martial arts (MMA) circuit in the lightweight and featherweight divisions.
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2008: Started Training at SBG
In 2008, McGregor began training at the Straight Blast Gym (SBG) in Dublin under John Kavanagh.
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2011: Winning Streak Begins
During 2011, McGregor started an eight-fight winning streak.
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2012: CWFC Championships
During 2012, McGregor won both the CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight championships, becoming the first European professional mixed martial artist to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously.
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2012: CWFC Championship Wins
In 2012, McGregor won the vacant CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight Championships.
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February 2013: Dana White visit to Dublin
In February 2013, UFC president Dana White made a trip to Dublin, Ireland and was inundated with requests to sign McGregor to the UFC.
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February 2013: Signed with UFC
In February 2013, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced that they had signed McGregor to a multi-fight contract.
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April 2013: UFC Debut
On 6 April 2013, McGregor made his UFC debut against Marcus Brimage at UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi and won the fight by knockout in round one, earning "Knockout of the Night" award.
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August 2013: Fight Against Max Holloway
In August 2013, McGregor fought and won against Max Holloway by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 26. Following the bout, McGregor tore his ACL and required surgery.
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July 2014: Victory Against Diego Brandão
In July 2014, McGregor faced Diego Brandão at UFC Fight Night 46 and won the fight via TKO in the first round, earning his first Performance of the Night award.
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September 2014: Victory Against Dustin Poirier
On 27 September 2014, at UFC 178, McGregor faced Dustin Poirier and secured a victory early on in the first round via TKO, earning his second straight "Performance of the Night" award.
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2014: First fight against Dustin Poirier
In 2014, McGregor had his first fight against Dustin Poirier.
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January 2015: Victory Against Dennis Siver
In January 2015, McGregor faced Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 59 and won the fight via TKO in the second round, earning his third straight "Performance of the Night" award.
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January 2015: Aldo Fight Announced
On 30 January 2015, at the UFC 183 Q&A, the highly anticipated bout with Aldo was announced.
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January 2015: Aldo Fight Announced
On 30 January 2015, the fight against Aldo was announced at UFC 183.
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July 2015: Scheduled Fight at UFC 189
In July 2015, McGregor was expected to face Aldo at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship.
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February 2016: Press Conference for Diaz Fight
On 24 February 2016, a press conference was held to help promote the new main event between McGregor and Diaz.
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March 2016: Scuffle with Diaz at Press Conference
In March 2016, McGregor and Diaz engaged in a brief scuffle during a face-off at the Thursday pre-fight press conference.
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November 2016: Time off from UFC
After winning the lightweight championship at UFC 205, McGregor announced in November 2016 he would take time off from the UFC to wait for the birth of his first child due in 2017.
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November 2016: UFC Lightweight Championship Win
In November 2016, McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 and won the UFC Lightweight Championship, becoming the first to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously.
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June 2017: Terms Agreed for Mayweather Fight
In June 2017, after months of negotiations, terms were agreed for a boxing match between McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
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June 2017: Announcement of McGregor vs Mayweather boxing match
On 14 June 2017, it was announced that Conor McGregor would compete in his first professional boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on August 26, 2017.
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August 2017: McGregor vs Mayweather fight
In August 2017, it was announced that the fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. would be held on August 26, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
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August 2017: Mayweather defeats McGregor by TKO
On August 24, 2017, it was announced Mayweather and McGregor would compete for the WBC Money Belt. Mayweather defeated McGregor by TKO in the 10th round. Mayweather earned around $280 million overall, while McGregor came out with earning $130 million.
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2017: McGregor's Endorsement Deals
In 2017, Conor McGregor's endorsement deals rounded up to $7 million with brands such as Beats by Dre, Monster Energy, Reebok and Bud Light.
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2017: Boxing Debut vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
In 2017, McGregor transitioned to boxing, making his professional debut against Floyd Mayweather Jr. He was defeated via TKO in the 10th round.
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2017: Boxing Bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
In 2017, McGregor's boxing bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. drew over 5.3 million buys across the United States and the United Kingdom.
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September 2018: Launch of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey
In September 2018, Conor McGregor launched Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey in Ireland and the United States, named after his Dublin neighborhood.
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March 2019: Retirement Announcement
On 26 March 2019, McGregor announced his retirement on social media.
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April 2019: McGregor Eligible to Compete Again
In April 2019, McGregor became eligible to compete again after his six-month suspension ended.
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January 2020: Victory Over Donald Cerrone
In January 2020, McGregor faced Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 and won the fight via technical knockout, earning a Performance of the Night award.
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June 2020: Retirement Announcement
On 6 June 2020, McGregor announced once more that he was retiring from fighting.
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2020: Purchase of the Black Forge Inn
In 2020, Conor McGregor purchased a pub in South Dublin and renamed it the Black Forge Inn.
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January 2021: Loss to Dustin Poirier
In January 2021, McGregor faced Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 and lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.
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July 2021: Loss to Dustin Poirier due to Injury
In July 2021, McGregor faced Dustin Poirier for a third time at UFC 264 and lost the fight via technical knockout in round one after the ringside doctor stopped the bout due to McGregor's broken lower tibia.
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2021: Lobov alleges he did background study and conducted business deals for whiskey product
In 2021, Artem Lobov stated that he was the one who did the background study and conducted business deals for Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey.
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2021: Sale of Majority Stake in Proper No. Twelve
In 2021, Conor McGregor and his business partners sold their majority stake in Proper No. Twelve company to Proximo Spirits for a reported $600 million.
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2021: Official Launch of Forged Irish Stout
In 2021, Conor McGregor officially launched Forged Irish Stout.
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2021: Purchase of the Marble Arch Pub
In 2021, Conor McGregor purchased a second pub, the Marble Arch, where he had previously assaulted a man in April 2019.
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August 2022: Lobov alleges he pitched the idea of a whiskey instead of vodka
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.
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2022: McGregor 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, McGregor coached The Ultimate Fighter 31 for the second time with the opposing coach being Michael Chandler. Filming of the show started in February 2023.
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August 2023: The Ultimate Fighter 31 aired
From May to August 2023, The Ultimate Fighter 31 aired on television.
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December 2023: McGregor considers running for President of Ireland
In December 2023, it was reported that Conor McGregor was considering running for President of Ireland, citing dissatisfaction with the allocation of national funds and a feeling that the public is ignored. A poll that month showed limited support for his potential candidacy.
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April 27, 2024: McGregor becomes part-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)
On April 27, 2024, it was announced that Conor McGregor and his company "McGregor Sports and Entertainment" were now part-owners of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
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June 13, 2024: UFC 303 Fight Cancellation
On June 13, 2024, the UFC officially announced the cancellation of the fight between McGregor and Michael Chandler at UFC 303 due to an injury sustained by McGregor.
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June 29, 2024: Scheduled Fight at UFC 303
McGregor was scheduled to fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29, 2024, before the fight's cancellation on June 13, 2024.
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