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, renowned for his accomplishments in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He notably held both the UFC Featherweight and Lightweight titles concurrently, a first in UFC history. McGregor also achieved simultaneous championship status in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC) at both featherweight and lightweight divisions, solidifying his reputation as a dominant force in the world of 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, 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, McGregor had his first professional MMA bout, as a lightweight, defeating Gary Morris with a second-round TKO.

2008: Began competing professionally in MMA

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

2008: Began training at Straight Blast Gym

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

2011: Eight-fight winning streak

During 2011, Conor McGregor embarked on an eight-fight winning streak, showcasing his dominance in the MMA scene.

2012: Won CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight Championships

During 2012, Conor McGregor continued his winning streak, winning both the CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight championships, solidifying his status as a top European MMA fighter.

February 2013: Dana White's trip to Dublin and McGregor signing negotiations

In February 2013, UFC president Dana White visited Dublin, Ireland, leading to a meeting with Conor McGregor and subsequent contract offer after discussions with UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta.

February 2013: Signed multi-fight contract with UFC

In February 2013, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced that they had signed Conor McGregor to a multi-fight contract, marking his entry into the major league of MMA.

April 2013: UFC debut against Marcus Brimage

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 and ACL injury

In August 2013, Conor McGregor fought Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 26, winning by unanimous decision. However, an MRI scan revealed that McGregor had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the bout, 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 propelled him to international fame.

July 2014: Fight against Diego Brandão

In July 2014, Conor McGregor fought Diego Brandão at UFC Fight Night 46 in Dublin, Ireland, winning by TKO in the first round and earning a Performance of the Night award.

September 2014: Fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 178

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

January 2015: Aldo-McGregor world tour announced

In January 2015, The UFC announced a 12-day world tour featuring McGregor and Aldo, with stops in eight cities across five countries to promote their upcoming fight.

January 2015: Fight against Dennis Siver

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

January 2015: Announcement of bout with José Aldo

On 30 January 2015, the highly anticipated bout between Conor McGregor and José Aldo was announced at the UFC 183 Q&A, scheduled for 11 July 2015 at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship.

July 2015: Scheduled fight against José Aldo at UFC 189

In July 2015, Conor McGregor was expected to face José Aldo at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship, during the UFC's annual International Fight Week.

February 2016: Press conference for UFC 196

On 24 February 2016, a press conference was held to help promote the fight between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz at UFC 196. Both men traded insults during the event.

March 2016: Fight against Nate Diaz at UFC 196

On 5 March 2016, Conor McGregor faced Nate Diaz at UFC 196 in a welterweight bout. Prior to the fight, there was a pre-fight press conference on March 3, where McGregor and Diaz engaged in a brief scuffle.

November 2016: Taking time off from UFC

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

June 2017: Agreement on boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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

June 2017: Boxing match announcement

On 14 June 2017, it was announced that McGregor would compete in his first professional boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr., on August 26, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

August 2017: Boxing match against Mayweather

In August 2017, it was announced that McGregor would compete in his first professional boxing match against the undefeated 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: Mayweather vs. McGregor fight

On 24 August 2017, it was announced that Mayweather and McGregor would compete for the WBC Money Belt. According to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Mayweather would earn a guaranteed purse of $100 million, and McGregor was guaranteed $30 million. The match resulted in Mayweather winning via TKO in the 10th round.

2017: Boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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

2017: Won the UFC Lightweight Championship

In 2017, Conor McGregor won the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 205 by defeating Eddie Alvarez, adding another major title to his MMA career.

2017: Endorsement Deals Total $7 Million

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

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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. The whiskey is named after the Crumlin neighbourhood in Dublin 12, in which McGregor grew up.

March 2019: McGregor announces his retirement

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

April 2019: Eligibility to compete again

On 6 April 2019, McGregor became eligible to compete again after his six-month suspension (retroactive to 6 October 2018) for the UFC 229 brawl ended.

January 2020: Fight against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246

On 18 January 2020, Conor McGregor faced Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout at UFC 246. He won the fight via technical knockout 40 seconds into the first round, earning a Performance of the Night award and becoming the first UFC fighter to hold knockout finishes in three divisions.

June 2020: McGregor announces second retirement

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

2020: Purchase and Renaming of the Black Forge Inn

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

January 2021: Fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257

On 24 January 2021, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier in a rematch at UFC 257 and lost 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 after the knockout.

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: Sale of Majority Stake in Proper No. Twelve Company

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

2021: Purchase of the Marble Arch Pub

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

2021: Launch of Forged Irish Stout

McGregor officially launched Forged Irish Stout in 2021.

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, Conor McGregor coached The Ultimate Fighter 31 for the second time, with Michael Chandler as the opposing coach. Filming of the show commenced during this month.

August 2023: The Ultimate Fighter 31 airing on television

In August 2023, The Ultimate Fighter 31 aired on television. The show, filmed earlier, featured McGregor as one of the coaches.

December 2023: McGregor Considers Running for President of Ireland

In December 2023, McGregor considered running for the office of President of Ireland, criticizing the allocation of the nation's funds. A poll that month found that eight percent of people polled would vote for McGregor for office, while 89 percent said they would not.

April 2024: McGregor Becomes Part-Owner of BKFC

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

June 2024: UFC 303 fight cancellation

In June 2024, Conor McGregor's scheduled welterweight bout against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29th was officially cancelled by the UFC due to an injury (broken toe) sustained by McGregor.

2024: McGregor Loses Sponsorships and Retailers Delist Products

In 2024, following a Dublin court case where McGregor was found to have assaulted and raped a woman in December 2018, McGregor lost his first sponsor when the IO Interactive video game company ceased its collaboration with him. Retailers like SuperValu, Costcutter, Centra, Carry Out, Tesco, Ocado, Wetherspoons, Asda, and BWG Group delisted McGregor-linked drinks, including Forged Irish Stout and Proper No. Twelve whiskey. Irish airports in Cork and Dublin also pulled McGregor-related alcohol products from their airport bars.

2024: Proximo Spirits Discontinues Use of McGregor's Name and Image

In 2024, following a Dublin court case, Proximo Spirits announced it would no longer use McGregor's name or image on the Proper No. Twelve drink, stemming from allegations made in December 2018.

March 2025: Announcement of intention to stand in Irish presidential election

In March 2025, Conor McGregor announced his intention to stand as an independent candidate in the 2025 Irish presidential election.

March 2025: McGregor Visits White House and Announces Presidential Candidacy

On March 17, 2025, McGregor visited the White House in Washington DC 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," and 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, hoping to generate enough public support to pressure a change in the current electoral rules for the Irish presidential election.

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

In March 2026, Conor McGregor will be eligible to compete again following his eighteen-month suspension for failing to disclose his whereabouts for drug testing.