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 a highly successful Irish mixed martial artist and businessman. He's renowned for his accomplishments in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he became the first fighter to simultaneously hold titles in two weight classes (Featherweight and Lightweight). Prior to his UFC success, McGregor was also a champion in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC) in both Featherweight and Lightweight divisions. His impact extends beyond the sport, as he has become a prominent figure in popular culture and a successful entrepreneur.

Sections (5)

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

1989: Original Road House Film

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

February 2007: Amateur 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, winning via 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: Training at Straight Blast Gym (SBG)

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

2008: Professional MMA Debut

In 2008, Conor McGregor started competing on the professional mixed martial arts (MMA) circuit in the lightweight and featherweight divisions.

2011: Winning Streak Start

During 2011, Conor McGregor started on an eight-fight winning streak.

2012: CWFC Double Champion

During 2012, Conor McGregor continued his eight-fight winning streak, during which he won both the CWFC Featherweight and Lightweight championships.

2012: CWFC Championship Wins

In 2012, Conor McGregor won the vacant Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC) Featherweight and Lightweight Championships.

February 2013: Dana White's Dublin Trip

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

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.

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 by knockout in round one and earning his first "Knockout of the Night" award.

August 2013: Win Against Max Holloway

In August 2013, Conor McGregor won against Max Holloway by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 26. After the fight, he was diagnosed with a torn ACL.

July 2014: Victory Against Diego Brandão

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

September 2014: Victory Against Dustin Poirier

On 27 September 2014, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier at UFC 178, winning by TKO in the first round and earning his second "Performance of the Night" award.

2014: Initial Bout with Poirier

In 2014, Conor McGregor initially fought Dustin Poirier.

January 2015: Victory 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, also earning McGregor his third straight "Performance of the Night" award.

January 2015: Aldo Fight Announcement 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 visiting eight cities in five countries.

January 2015: Aldo Fight Announcement

On 30 January 2015, the highly anticipated bout with José Aldo was announced at the UFC 183 Q&A.

July 2015: Scheduled Fight with Aldo

In July 2015, Conor McGregor was expected to face José Aldo at UFC 189 for the undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship.

February 2016: Press Conference with Nate Diaz

On 24 February 2016, a press conference was held to promote the UFC 196 main event between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, where both men traded insults.

March 2016: Scuffle with Nate Diaz

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

November 2016: Time Off Announcement

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.

November 2016: UFC Lightweight Championship

In November 2016, Conor McGregor defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 and won the UFC Lightweight Championship, becoming the first to hold two UFC championships simultaneously.

June 2017: Agreement with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

On 14 June 2017, After months of negotiations, Conor 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 Announced

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

August 2017: McGregor's First Professional Boxing Match

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

August 2017: McGregor vs. Mayweather compete for WBC Money Belt

In August 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.

2017: Boxing Debut

In 2017, Conor McGregor transitioned to boxing, making his professional debut against Floyd Mayweather Jr., where he was defeated via TKO in the 10th round.

2017: Boxing Bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In 2017, Conor McGregor's boxing bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. drew over 5.3 million buys across the United States and the United Kingdom.

2017: Endorsement deals rounded up to $7 million

In 2017, McGregor's endorsement deals rounded up to $7 million with Beats by Dre, Monster Energy, Reebok and Bud Light.

September 2018: McGregor launches Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey

In September 2018, McGregor launched Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey in Ireland and the United States, named after his Crumlin neighborhood.

October 2018: Post-Fight Brawl at UFC 229

Following the fight at UFC 229 on October 6, 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov initiated a brawl by jumping out of the cage and attacking Dillon Danis, McGregor's training partner. McGregor was also involved in a scuffle with members of Nurmagomedov's team.

October 2018: NSAC Complaint and Ban

In October 2018, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) filed a formal complaint against both Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and McGregor received an indefinite ban following the UFC 229 brawl.

December 2018: Official Hearing by NSAC

In December 2018, the official hearing regarding the bans for Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov took place before the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

January 2019: McGregor Receives Suspension and Fine

On January 29, 2019, the NSAC announced a six-month suspension for Conor McGregor (retroactive to 6 October 2018) and a $50,000 fine due to his involvement in the UFC 229 post-fight brawl.

March 2019: First Retirement Announcement

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

April 2019: McGregor Eligible to Compete Again

On April 6, 2019, 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

On 18 January 2020, Conor McGregor faced Donald Cerrone at UFC 246, winning by TKO in 40 seconds and earning a Performance of the Night award.

June 2020: Second Retirement Announcement

On 6 June 2020, Conor McGregor announced his second retirement from fighting.

January 2021: Loss to Dustin Poirier

On 24 January 2021, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, losing by TKO in the second round and receiving a 6-month medical suspension.

July 2021: Third Fight Against Dustin Poirier

On 10 July 2021, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier for a third time at UFC 264, losing by TKO in round one due to a broken lower tibia.

2021: McGregor sells 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: McGregor officially launched Forged Irish Stout

McGregor officially launched Forged Irish Stout in 2021.

August 2022: Lobov alleges McGregor initially wanted vodka

In an August 2022 interview, Artem Lobov alleged that McGregor initially planned to create a vodka product, but Lobov pitched the idea of whiskey instead and also handled background study and business deals.

2022: McGregor cast in Road House remake

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

February 2023: Coaching The Ultimate Fighter 31

In February 2023, Conor McGregor coached The Ultimate Fighter 31, with filming starting.

August 2023: Airing of The Ultimate Fighter 31

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

April 27, 2024: McGregor becomes part-owner of BKFC

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

June 13, 2024: UFC 303 Fight Cancellation Announcement

On June 13, 2024, the UFC officially announced the cancellation of Conor McGregor's fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, citing an injury (broken toe) sustained by McGregor.

June 29, 2024: Scheduled Bout against Michael Chandler

On June 29, 2024, Conor McGregor was scheduled to fight in a welterweight bout against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, which was later cancelled due to injury.