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, most notably recognized for his accomplishments in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He achieved the distinction of being the first UFC fighter to simultaneously hold championships in two weight classes: Featherweight and Lightweight. Before his UFC career, McGregor also held simultaneous Featherweight and Lightweight titles in the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC), solidifying his reputation as a dominant force in mixed martial arts.

Sections (5)

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

February 2007: Mixed Martial Arts 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 technical knockout (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: Professional MMA Debut

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, marking a significant step in his MMA career.

2011: Winning Streak

During 2011 and 2012, Conor McGregor went on an eight-fight winning streak, solidifying his position in the MMA world.

2012: CWFC Championships

During 2011 and 2012, Conor McGregor went on an eight-fight winning streak, during which he won both the CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight championships, making him the first European professional mixed martial artist to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously.

February 2013: Dana White's Trip to Dublin

In February 2013, UFC president Dana White visited Dublin, Ireland, and after meeting with Conor McGregor, offered him a UFC contract days later.

February 2013: Signing with the UFC

In February 2013, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced that they had signed Conor McGregor to a multi-fight contract, making him only the second fighter from Ireland to compete for the company.

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: Victory and ACL Tear

In August 2013, Conor McGregor fought Max Holloway, winning by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 26. However, an MRI scan revealed that McGregor had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the bout, requiring surgery and sidelining him for up to ten months.

2013: Signing with the UFC

In 2013, Conor McGregor signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a pivotal moment that launched him onto the global stage of mixed martial arts.

July 2014: Comeback Bout Victory

In July 2014, Conor McGregor fought Diego Brandão at UFC Fight Night 46 in Dublin, Ireland, in his comeback bout after recovering from his ACL injury. McGregor won the fight by TKO in the first round, earning his first Performance of the Night award.

September 2014: Victory over Dustin Poirier

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

2014: Previous Bout with Dustin Poirier

In January 2021, McGregor was booked to face Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 for a rematch of their 2014 bout.

January 2015: Victory over Dennis Siver

In January 2015, at UFC Fight Night 59, Conor McGregor faced Dennis Siver and won the fight via TKO in the second round. The victory also earned McGregor his third straight "Performance of the Night" award.

January 2015: Announcement of Aldo Fight and World Tour

On 30 January 2015, the fight between Conor McGregor and José Aldo was announced at UFC 183. McGregor and Aldo embarked on a 12-day world tour, visiting eight cities in five countries, including Brazil and Ireland, to promote the fight.

January 2015: Announcement of Bout with Aldo

On 30 January 2015, the highly anticipated bout between Conor McGregor and José Aldo was announced at the UFC 183 Q&A. It was declared that McGregor was expected to face Aldo on 11 July 2015 at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship.

July 2015: Scheduled Fight with Aldo

In July 2015, Conor McGregor was scheduled to face José Aldo at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship. The fight was set to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

February 2016: Press Conference for UFC 196

In February 2016, a press conference was held to promote the UFC 196 welterweight bout between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, with both men trading insults.

March 2016: Scuffle with Diaz

In March 2016, at the Thursday pre-fight press conference before UFC 196, Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz engaged in a brief scuffle during a face-off, after McGregor landed a strike on Diaz's lead hand.

November 2016: Time Off Announcement

After winning the lightweight championship at UFC 205, Conor McGregor announced in November 2016 that he would take time off from the UFC to wait for the birth of his first child.

June 2017: Terms Agreed for Mayweather Fight

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

June 2017: Boxing Match Announcement

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

August 2017: Mayweather vs. McGregor Fight Details

On August 24, 2017, it was announced that Mayweather and McGregor would compete for the WBC Money Belt. Mayweather reportedly earned around $280 million overall, while McGregor came out with earning $130 million from the match on August 26, 2017. Mayweather won by TKO in the 10th round.

August 2017: Boxing Match against Mayweather

On August 26, 2017, McGregor competed in his first professional boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

2017: Transition to Professional Boxing

In 2017, Conor McGregor transitioned to professional boxing and faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a highly publicised bout, which he lost via TKO in the 10th round.

2017: Boxing Match Against Mayweather

In 2017, Conor McGregor's boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. generated over 5.3 million pay-per-view buys across the United States and the United Kingdom, making it the second highest-selling pay-per-view event in history.

2017: Endorsement Deals Sum Up

In 2017, McGregor's endorsement deals rounded up to $7 million.

September 2018: Launch of Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey

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

March 2019: Retirement Announcement

In March 2019, Conor McGregor announced his retirement on social media, though it was viewed by Dana White as a ploy for an ownership stake in the company.

April 2019: Eligibility to Compete

As of April 6, 2019, McGregor became eligible to compete again after serving his six-month suspension from the NSAC following the UFC 229 brawl.

January 2020: Victory Over Cerrone

In January 2020, Conor McGregor faced Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout at UFC 246, winning 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.

2020: Purchase of Black Forge Inn

In 2020, Conor McGregor purchased a pub in Crumlin and renamed it the Black Forge Inn.

January 2021: Loss to Dustin Poirier

In January 2021, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier in a rematch at UFC 257, losing the fight via technical knockout in the second round, marking the first knockout loss in his career.

July 2021: Injury and Loss to Poirier

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: Launch of Forged Irish Stout

In 2021, Conor McGregor officially launched Forged Irish Stout.

2021: Sale of 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.

2021: Purchase of Marble Arch Pub

In 2021, McGregor purchased a second pub called the Marble Arch.

2021: Whiskey Deal

In 2021, a $600 million deal was conducted.

August 2022: Lobov's Allegations Regarding Whiskey Idea

In August 2022, Artem Lobov alleged that Conor McGregor initially planned to create a vodka product, but Lobov pitched the idea for a whiskey instead, also claiming he conducted the background study and business deals.

November 2022: Lobov Sues McGregor

In November 2022, news broke that Artem Lobov sued Conor McGregor, seeking five percent of the proceeds from the $600 million deal conducted in 2021.

2022: Casting 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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January 2023: Lobov's Defamation Lawsuit Denied

In January 2023, the judge denied Artem Lobov's defamation, intimidation, and harassment lawsuit against Conor McGregor, and Lobov was ordered to pay the legal fees.

February 2023: The Ultimate Fighter 31 Filming

In February 2023, Conor McGregor began filming The Ultimate Fighter 31 as a coach, with Michael Chandler as the opposing coach.

August 2023: The Ultimate Fighter 31 Airs on Television

From May to August 2023, The Ultimate Fighter 31, coached by Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler, aired on television.

December 2023: Consideration of Presidential Run

In December 2023, it was reported that McGregor was considering running for the office of President of Ireland, prompting a response from Elon Musk. McGregor cited the allocation of the nation's funds and the feeling of being ignored as reasons for considering the run.

2023: The Ultimate Fighter Coaching

In 2023, McGregor and Chandler were opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler, leading to a rivalry.

April 2024: Part-Ownership of 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).

June 2024: UFC 303 Fight Cancellation

In June 2024, McGregor was scheduled to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303, but the fight was officially cancelled on June 13, 2024, due to an injury sustained by McGregor.

March 2025: Visit to White House and Presidential Announcement

On March 17, 2025, McGregor visited the White House in Washington DC for a Saint Patrick's Day event. During the visit, he claimed that Ireland was "on the cusp of losing its Irishness" and announced his intention to stand as an independent candidate in the 2025 Irish presidential election.

August 4, 2025: Launches Petition to Change Electoral Rules

On August 4, 2025, McGregor launched an online petition, aimed to circumvent the Irish constitution and allow for a direct popular vote on who can appear on the ballot for President.

August 14, 2025: Removal from UFC Roster

On August 14, 2025, it was reported that Conor McGregor was removed from the UFC roster.

September 15, 2025: Withdraws from Presidential Race

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

September 20, 2025: UFC White House Announcement

On September 20, 2025, McGregor announced his intention to compete at the UFC White House event scheduled for June 2026, with Michael Chandler as his expected opponent.