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 mixed martial artist, notable for his accomplishments in the UFC. He was the first UFC fighter to simultaneously hold championships in two weight classes: Featherweight and Lightweight. Prior to his UFC success, he also held simultaneous Featherweight and Lightweight 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. He won 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: Started Competing in MMA Professionally

In 2008, Conor McGregor began his professional career in mixed martial arts (MMA), competing in both the lightweight and featherweight divisions.

2008: Started Training at Straight Blast Gym

In 2008, Conor McGregor began training at the Straight Blast Gym (SBG) in Dublin under John Kavanagh, marking a pivotal step in his MMA development.

2011: Winning Streak

During 2011, Conor McGregor started an eight-fight winning streak in his MMA career.

2012: Won CWFC Championships

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

February 2013: UFC President Dana White Trip to Dublin

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

February 2013: Signed Multi-Fight Contract with the UFC

In February 2013, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced they had signed Conor McGregor to a multi-fight contract. He became 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. He won the fight by knockout in round one, earning his first "Knockout of the Night" award.

August 2013: Fight Against Max Holloway

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

2013: Signed 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 MMA.

July 2014: UFC Fight Night 46 Win

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

September 2014: Victory Against Dustin Poirier at UFC 178

On 27 September 2014, at UFC 178, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier and won via TKO in the first round, marking Poirier's first UFC loss by KO/TKO and earning McGregor his second straight "Performance of the Night" award.

2014: Rematch against Dustin Poirier

In 2014, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier first fought, leading to a rematch in January 2021 at UFC 257.

January 2015: Defeated Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 59

On 18 January 2015, Conor McGregor faced Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 59 and won via TKO in the second round. The victory also earned McGregor his third straight "Performance of the Night" award.

January 2015: Fight Against Aldo Announced and World Tour

On 30 January 2015, the fight between Conor McGregor and José Aldo was announced at UFC 183, leading to a 12-day world tour with stops in eight cities across five countries, including Rio de Janeiro and Dublin.

January 2015: Announced Fight with Aldo

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

July 2015: Expected Fight Against José Aldo

In July 2015, Conor McGregor was expected to face José Aldo at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship, a fight that generated significant anticipation.

February 2016: UFC 196 Press Conference

In February 2016, a press conference was held to promote the new main event, UFC 196, with both Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz trading insults, building anticipation for their upcoming fight.

March 2016: Scuffle with Nate Diaz

In March 2016, Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz engaged in a brief scuffle at the pre-fight press conference, after McGregor landed a strike on Diaz's lead hand, intensifying the anticipation for their upcoming bout at UFC 196.

November 2016: Time off after UFC 205

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

June 2017: Boxing Match Agreement with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

On 14 June 2017, Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. came to terms for a boxing match set to take place on 26 August, after months of public campaigning by McGregor.

June 2017: McGregor announces 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. on 26 August 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 and was expected to be the richest in boxing history.

November 2017: McGregor Jumps Cage and Confronts Referee at Bellator 187

In November 2017, at Bellator 187 in Dublin, McGregor's teammate Charlie Ward won his fight. McGregor, who was not a licensed cornerman, jumped into the cage and confronted the referee, Marc Goddard, amidst confusion about the fight's official end and concern for the health of the knocked-out opponent, John Redmond.

2017: Fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a Boxing Match

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

2017: Boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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: McGregor's endorsement deals reach $7 million

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

September 2018: McGregor launches Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey

In September 2018, Conor 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.

October 2018: Post-Fight Brawl at UFC 229

Following his fight at UFC 229 on October 6, 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped out of the cage and instigated a brawl with McGregor's training partner, Dillon Danis. McGregor also got involved in a scuffle with members of Nurmagomedov's team, leading to investigations and withheld payments.

October 2018: NSAC Investigates UFC 229 Brawl, Withholds Nurmagomedov's Payment

Following the brawl at UFC 229 in October 2018, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) investigated the incident and withheld half of Khabib Nurmagomedov's fight payout.

December 2018: NSAC Holds Hearing on UFC 229 Brawl

In December 2018, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) held a hearing to address the brawl that occurred at UFC 229 following the fight between McGregor and Nurmagomedov.

January 2019: McGregor Receives Suspension and Fine from NSAC

In January 2019, the NSAC announced a six-month suspension and a $50,000 fine for McGregor due to his involvement in the brawl at UFC 229, retroactive to October 6, 2018.

March 2019: Retirement Announcement

On 26 March 2019, Conor McGregor announced his retirement on social media, but it was viewed by Dana White as a ploy to secure an ownership stake in the company.

April 2019: McGregor Becomes Eligible to Compete Again

In April 2019, specifically on April 6th, Conor McGregor became eligible to compete again after serving his six-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

January 2020: Victory Against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246

On 18 January 2020, Conor McGregor faced Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout at UFC 246, winning via technical knockout in 40 seconds. This win earned him a Performance of the Night award and made him the first UFC fighter to hold knockout finishes in three divisions.

June 2020: Second Retirement Announcement

On 6 June 2020, Conor McGregor announced once more that he was retiring from fighting, adding another chapter to his on-again, off-again relationship with the sport.

2020: McGregor purchases the Black Forge Inn

In 2020, Conor McGregor purchased a pub in South Dublin, renaming it to the Black Forge Inn.

January 2021: Lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257

On 24 January 2021, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier in a rematch at UFC 257 and lost via technical knockout in the second round, marking the first knockout loss in his career. He received a 6-month medical suspension following the fight.

July 2021: Third Fight Against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264

On 10 July 2021, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier for a third time at UFC 264. McGregor lost the fight via technical knockout in round one after the ringside doctor stopped the bout due to a broken lower tibia.

2021: McGregor launches Forged Irish Stout

Conor McGregor officially launched Forged Irish Stout in 2021.

2021: McGregor purchases the Marble Arch pub

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

2021: McGregor sells majority stake in Proper No. Twelve company

In 2021, it was reported that Conor 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 suggested whiskey idea to McGregor

In August 2022, Artem Lobov alleged that Conor McGregor was initially headed towards creating a vodka product, but it was Lobov who pitched the idea of doing a whiskey instead and conducted the business deals for the product.

2022: McGregor cast in "Road House" remake

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

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April 2024: McGregor becomes part-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

On 27 April 2024, it was announced that Conor McGregor and his company "McGregor Sports and Entertainment" were now part-owners of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). McGregor has since appeared at multiple BKFC events.