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, best known for his career 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 joining the UFC, McGregor was also a champion in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC), holding both the Featherweight and Lightweight titles simultaneously. He is a significant figure in the world of mixed martial arts.

Sections (5)

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

1989: Original Road House Film

In 1989 the original Road House Film was released.

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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. He won via technical knockout (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, 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, McGregor began training at the Straight Blast Gym (SBG) in Dublin under John Kavanagh.

2011: Winning Streak

During 2011, McGregor began an eight-fight winning streak in his career.

2012: Won CWFC Championships

During 2012, McGregor won both the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC) Featherweight and Lightweight championships, becoming the first European professional mixed martial artist to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously.

February 2013: Dana White trip to Dublin

In February 2013, UFC president Dana White visited Dublin, Ireland, and was met with numerous requests to sign McGregor to the UFC.

February 2013: Signed UFC Contract

In February 2013, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced that they had signed McGregor to a multi-fight contract. In joining, he became only the second fighter from Ireland to compete for the company, following team member Tom Egan.

April 2013: UFC Debut

On 6 April 2013, 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

On 17 August 2013, McGregor fought Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 26, winning by unanimous decision. Following the bout, an MRI scan revealed that McGregor had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the bout and would require surgery, keeping him out of action for up to ten months.

2013: Signed with UFC

In 2013, after winning the CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight Championships, McGregor signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

July 2014: Defeated Diego Brandao

On 19 July 2014, McGregor fought Diego Brandão at UFC Fight Night 46 in Dublin, Ireland. The fight was halted in the first round, earning McGregor his first Performance of the Night award.

September 2014: Fought Dustin Poirier at UFC 178

On 27 September 2014, McGregor faced Dustin Poirier at UFC 178, securing a victory in the first round via TKO, earning his second straight "Performance of the Night" award. The finish officially came at 1:46 into the first round. This marked Poirier's first UFC loss via KO/TKO

2014: Previous Bout with Dustin Poirier

In 2014, McGregor had previously fought Dustin Poirier prior to their rematch in January 2021.

January 2015: Defeated Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 59

On 18 January 2015, 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 Fight Against Aldo

On 30 January 2015, the fight against Aldo was announced at the UFC 183. McGregor and Aldo embarked on a 12-day world tour, visiting eight cities in five countries, including Rio de Janeiro and Dublin.

January 2015: Aldo Bout Announced

On 30 January 2015, the highly anticipated bout between McGregor and Aldo was announced at the UFC 183 Q&A.

July 2015: Expected Bout with Aldo

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

February 2016: Press Conference for UFC 196

On 24 February 2016, a press conference was held to help promote the UFC 196 main event between 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, 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: Taking 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.

June 2017: Terms Agreed for Mayweather Fight

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

June 2017: McGregor vs. Mayweather Boxing Match Announcement

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.

August 2017: McGregor vs Mayweather boxing match scheduled

In August 2017, Conor McGregor's boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. was scheduled to take place on August 26, 2017, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. The fight was to be broadcast on Showtime PPV in the US and Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.

August 2017: Mayweather vs. McGregor Fight Details and Payouts

On 24 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 live gate for the event was $55,414,865.79 from 13,094 tickets sold. Mayweather reportedly earned around $280 million overall, while McGregor earned $130 million.

2017: Transitioned to Professional Boxing

In 2017, McGregor transitioned briefly 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 Mayweather

In 2017, McGregor's boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. 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.

March 2019: Retirement Announcement

On 26 March 2019, McGregor announced his retirement on social media.

April 2019: McGregor Becomes Eligible to Compete Again

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

January 2020: Defeats Donald Cerrone at UFC 246

On 18 January 2020, 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: Announces Retirement Again

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

2020: McGregor Purchases The Black Forge Inn

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

January 2021: Lost Against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257

On 24 January 2021, 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. McGregor was later handed a 6–month medical suspension after the knockout.

July 2021: Lost Against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264

On 10 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. McGregor had rolled his ankle while stepping back, resulting in a broken lower tibia which rendered him unable to continue.

2021: Forged Irish Stout Officially Launched

In 2021, McGregor officially launched Forged Irish Stout.

2021: Purchase of the Marble Arch Pub

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

2021: Whiskey deal

In 2021, a whiskey deal of $600 million was conducted.

August 2022: Artem Lobov alleges McGregor initially considered vodka before whiskey

In August 2022, Artem Lobov alleged in an interview that McGregor initially considered creating a vodka product, but Lobov pitched the idea of doing a whiskey instead. Lobov also claimed to have conducted the background study and business deals for the product.

November 2022: Artem Lobov Sues McGregor Over Whiskey Deal

In November 2022, news surfaced that Artem Lobov sued McGregor, seeking five percent of the proceeds from a $600 million deal conducted in 2021. Following the lawsuit, McGregor sent social media messages to Lobov, who then filed another lawsuit against McGregor for defamation, intimidation, and harassment.

2022: McGregor Cast in Road House Remake

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

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January 2023: Lobov's Lawsuit Against McGregor Denied

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

April 2024: McGregor Becomes Part-Owner of BKFC

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