Challenges in the Life of Conor McGregor in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Conor McGregor's life and career.

Conor McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist, renowned for his achievements in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He notably held the UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion titles simultaneously, marking him as the first UFC fighter to achieve championships in two weight classes concurrently. Prior to his UFC career, McGregor also held simultaneous Featherweight and Lightweight Champion titles in the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC).

Sections (5)

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

2009: Assault causing harm

In 2009, McGregor given probation for assault causing harm offence.

August 2013: Fight Against Holloway

On 17 August 2013, Conor McGregor fought Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 26, winning by unanimous decision. Following the bout, an MRI revealed he had torn his ACL.

2015: Accusations of Racially Taunting José Aldo

In 2015, leading up to his bout with José Aldo, McGregor faced accusations of racially taunting the Brazilian fighter.

November 2017: Guilty Plea for Speeding in Rathcoole

In November 2017, McGregor pleaded guilty to exceeding the speed limit in Rathcoole, County Dublin, and was fined €400.

November 2017: Involvement in Bellator 187 Incident

On 10 November 2017, during Bellator 187 in Dublin, McGregor jumped the cage to celebrate his teammate Charlie Ward's win, confronted referee Marc Goddard, and interacted with the downed John Redmond before the fight was officially declared over.

2017: Accusations of Racism towards Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In 2017, McGregor was accused of racism after taunting Floyd Mayweather Jr. ahead of their August 26 boxing match, including telling him to "Dance for me, boy".

April 2018: Charged After UFC 223 Bus Attack

In April 2018, following the UFC 223 bus attack, McGregor was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief. He was later further charged with menacing and reckless endangerment.

April 2018: Khabib Nurmagomedov and Entourage Corner and Slap Artem Lobov

On 3 April 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov and his entourage cornered and slapped Artem Lobov at a hotel in Brooklyn, New York.

April 2018: Involvement in UFC 223 Bus Attack

On 5 April 2018, during promotional appearances for UFC 223, McGregor and a group of others attacked a bus carrying fighters, including Rose Namajunas and Michael Chiesa, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, resulting in injuries and fighters being removed from the card.

June 2018: Release on Bail After UFC 223 Incident

In June 2018, McGregor was released on $50,000 bail until 14 June 2018, following charges related to the UFC 223 bus attack in April 2018. He was allowed to travel without restriction under the bail conditions.

September 2018: Chiesa Announces Lawsuit Against McGregor

On 12 September 2018, Michael Chiesa announced a lawsuit against McGregor, citing pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the April 2018 UFC 223 bus attack.

October 2018: Involved in Post-Fight Brawl at UFC 229

Following the fight at UFC 229 on 6 October 2018, McGregor was involved in a post-fight brawl after Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped out of the cage. McGregor punched Abubakar Nurmagomedov, leading to a scuffle.

October 2018: NSAC Complaint and Payout Decision

On 24 October 2018, the NSAC filed a formal complaint against both McGregor and Nurmagomedov regarding the UFC 229 brawl. The NSAC voted to release half of Nurmagomedov's $2 million fight payout immediately.

November 2018: Guilty Plea for Speeding in Kill

In November 2018, McGregor pleaded guilty to speeding in Kill, County Kildare, receiving a €1,000 fine and a six-month driving disqualification.

December 2018: McGregor Allegedly Assaults and Rapes Woman in Dublin

In December 2018, McGregor was found to have assaulted and raped a woman in Dublin, leading to the loss of sponsorships.

December 2018: Alleged Violent Assault and Rape by McGregor

In December 2018, Nikita Hand alleged that McGregor violently beat and raped her in Dublin, leading to a civil action.

December 2018: NSAC Hearing for UFC 229 Brawl

In December 2018, Nurmagomedov and McGregor faced indefinite bans pending the official hearing by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) regarding the UFC 229 post-fight brawl.

December 2018: Allegation of Sexual Assault in Dublin Hotel

In December 2018, an alleged sexual assault by McGregor against a woman in a Dublin hotel led to a Garda Síochána (police) investigation reported by The New York Times in March 2019.

2018: Prior convictions

In 2018, McGregor had prior convictions.

2018: Alleged Sexual Assault Leads to Civil Claim

In 2018, an alleged sexual assault led to prosecutors declining to prosecute McGregor, resulting in a civil claim for damages launched in the High Court in January 2021.

2018: Assault and Rape Incident

In 2018, an incident occurred where Conor McGregor assaulted and raped a woman, which later led to a civil case ruling in November 2024.

January 2019: Suspension and Fine by NSAC

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

March 2019: Arrested for Attacking a Fan in Miami

In March 2019, McGregor was arrested outside the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, for attacking a fan taking a picture on his mobile phone. He was charged with strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief, and later released on a $5,000 bond.

March 2019: McGregor Under Investigation for Alleged Sexual Assault

In March 2019, The New York Times reported that McGregor was under investigation by the Garda Síochána (police), following allegations of a sexual assault on a woman in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

April 2019: McGregor Assaults Man at the Marble Arch

On April 6, 2019, McGregor assaulted a man at the Marble Arch pub, which he later purchased in 2021.

August 2019: Video Surfaces of Pub Assault

On 15 August 2019, TMZ Sports published a video showing McGregor punching an older man at The Marble Arch Pub in Dublin, which happened on 6 April 2019. Irish police opened an investigation.

October 2019: Second Allegation of Sexual Assault Reported

In October 2019, a second allegation of sexual assault against McGregor was reported, concerning an assault on a woman in a car alleged to have taken place earlier that month.

October 2019: First Court Appearance for Pub Assault

On 11 October 2019, McGregor first appeared in court for the assault at The Marble Arch Pub in Dublin, which occurred on 6 April 2019. The court heard that McGregor had 18 prior convictions from 2018 going back to 2009.

January 2021: Civil Claim Launched After Prosecutors Decline to Prosecute for 2018 Alleged Sexual Assault

In January 2021, after prosecutors declined to prosecute McGregor for the 2018 alleged sexual assault, a civil claim for damages was launched in the High Court. A spokeswoman for McGregor said in a statement that the allegations against him were "categorically rejected" and that he was "confident that justice will prevail" in the civil case.

January 2021: Loss to Poirier at UFC 257

On 24 January 2021, Conor McGregor faced Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, losing 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.

July 2021: Loss to Poirier at UFC 264

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.

October 2021: Alleged Assault in Rome Nightclub

In October 2021, McGregor allegedly assaulted Francesco Facchinetti, an Italian musician, in a nightclub in Rome, reportedly breaking Facchinetti's nose. Facchinetti later filed charges against McGregor for the attack.

2021: Lobov claims contribution to McGregor's Whiskey success

In November 2022, Artem Lobov sued McGregor, seeking five percent of the proceeds of the $600 million deal conducted in 2021. This deal relates to the whiskey idea Lobov says he pitched in August 2022.

March 2022: High Court Orders Pre-Trial Discovery Against McGregor

In March 2022, the High Court made a pre-trial discovery order against McGregor requiring the Gardaí to disclose certain information and documents gathered by them.

March 2022: Arrested for Driving Offences in Dublin

On 22 March 2022, McGregor was arrested in Dublin and charged with six driving offences, including dangerous driving. His car was seized but later returned after he was released on bail, with a court appearance scheduled for April 2022.

April 2022: Scheduled Court Appearance

In April 2022, McGregor was scheduled to appear before Blanchardstown district court following his arrest on 22 March 2022 for six driving offences, including dangerous driving.

June 2022: Court Appearance for Driving Offences

On 23 June 2022, McGregor appeared in Blanchardstown District Court in relation to events on 22 March 2022, and was remanded on continuing bail pending "further charges" as part of a dangerous driving prosecution.

July 2022: Alleged assault aboard yacht

On July 22 2022, McGregor allegedly assaulted a 42-year-old woman aboard his yacht in Ibiza, Spain, during his birthday party. The woman claimed she was berated by McGregor before being physically assaulted and forced to jump from the yacht to escape McGregor.

September 2022: Additional Charge of Careless Driving

On 8 September 2022, McGregor was charged with an additional charge of careless driving, adding to the six charges he already faced over the incident on 22 March 2022.

November 2022: Lobov Sues McGregor for Share of Whiskey Deal Proceeds

In late November 2022, news surfaced that Artem Lobov had sued McGregor, seeking five percent of the proceeds of the $600 million deal conducted in 2021. Following the lawsuit, McGregor aimed several social media messages at Lobov.

2022: Black Forge Inn Targeted by Petrol Bombs

In 2022, The Black Forge Inn, owned by McGregor, was targeted by petrol bombs.

January 2023: Lobov's Defamation Lawsuit Denied; Ordered to Pay Legal Fees

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

January 2023: Accusation of Yacht Assault in Ibiza

In January 2023, McGregor was accused of assaulting a 42-year-old woman aboard his yacht in Ibiza, Spain, during his birthday party in July 2022. The woman later discontinued the lawsuit.

January 2023: Trial Date Set

In January 2023, McGregor's defence team informed the court that he couldn't attend the trial at that time due to being unwell, regarding the driving offences on 22 March 2022. The judge then ordered the trial to start on 31 July 2024.

February 2023: Lawsuit Discontinued

In late February 2023, news surfaced that the lawsuit regarding the alleged yacht assault was discontinued by the plaintiff, with no further information provided.

June 9, 2023: Alleged Sexual Assault During NBA Finals Game

On June 9, 2023, McGregor allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in a bathroom at the Kaseya Center in Miami during an NBA Finals game, leading to a lawsuit filed against him in January 2025.

June 2023: McGregor Accused of Sexual Assault at NBA Finals

On June 11, 2023, Miami police received a report that McGregor had sexually assaulted a woman the previous night in a toilet at the Miami Heat arena, after Game Four of the NBA Finals. McGregor denied the allegation. The case was dropped on October 18, 2023.

June 2024: Partner of Nikita Hand Attacked

In June 2024, after the trial, it emerged that Nikita Hand's partner had been stabbed and windows were smashed when attackers wearing balaclavas invaded their home.

June 2024: UFC 303 Fight Cancellation

In June 2024, following speculation due to a cancelled press conference, the UFC officially announced the cancellation of Conor McGregor's welterweight bout against Michael Chandler at UFC 303, citing a broken toe injury sustained by McGregor.

July 2024: Driving Ban and Suspended Sentence

In July 2024, McGregor received a two-year driving ban and a five-month suspended sentence, on condition that he keeps the peace for two years, in relation to driving offences from 22 March 2022.

November 2024: Civil Case Ruling

In November 2024, the Irish High Court ruled in a civil case that Conor McGregor had assaulted and raped a woman in 2018, ordering him to pay over €248,000 in damages.

November 2024: Jury Finds McGregor Raped Nikita Hand

In November 2024, the trial concluded, and the jury found that McGregor had raped Nikita Hand. He was ordered to pay her nearly €250,000 in damages.

December 2024: Ordered to pay legal costs

In December 2024, Conor McGregor was ordered to pay the victim's legal costs, amounting to approximately €1,500,000.

December 2024: McGregor Ordered to Pay Hand's Legal Costs; Admits Cocaine Use

In December 2024, Justice Owens ordered McGregor to pay approximately €1,500,000 in legal costs to Hand and threatened contempt of court proceedings for social media comments. During cross-examination, McGregor admitted to using cocaine.

2024: Failures to disclose whereabouts for drug testing

In 2024, Conor McGregor failed to disclose his whereabouts for drug testing on three occasions, which led to an eighteen-month suspension.

2024: Proximo Spirits to No Longer Use McGregor's Image on Proper No. Twelve

In 2024, Proximo Spirits announced it would no longer use McGregor's name or image on Proper No. Twelve whiskey following a Dublin court case in which McGregor was found to have assaulted and raped a woman in December 2018.

2024: Sponsors Drop McGregor After Dublin Court Case

In light of a 2024 Dublin court case, in which 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. Several retailers delisted or pulled McGregor-linked drinks, including Forged Irish Stout and Proper No. Twelve whiskey, from their stores and airport bars.

January 15, 2025: Lawsuit Filed Against McGregor for Sexual Assault During NBA Finals

On January 15, 2025, a lawsuit was filed against McGregor in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, accusing him of sexual assault during an NBA Finals game in Miami on June 9, 2023. The suit alleges that McGregor assaulted a 49-year-old woman in a bathroom at the Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat, with details of the alleged assault including forced attempts at oral and anal penetration.

July 2025: Appeal Lost

In July 2025, Conor McGregor lost an appeal on the verdict of the civil case.

July 2025: McGregor Loses Appeal in Rape Case

In July 2025, McGregor withdrew his application to bring in new witnesses and evidence for his appeal against the finding that he had raped Nikita Hand. The court agreed to refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider perjury. On 31 July, McGregor lost his appeal, and the original ruling was upheld. Hand's legal team initiated legal proceedings to seek damages from McGregor and the witnesses.

July 2025: Fire at Black Forge Inn

On 25 July 2025, a suspicious fire broke out at the Black Forge Inn at 3am, but was extinguished with no casualties. A man was arrested the following month.

October 7, 2025: McGregor Suspended for Drug Testing Failures

On October 7, 2025, it was announced that McGregor had failed to disclose his whereabouts for drug testing on three occasions in 2024, leading to an eighteen-month suspension retroactive to the date of his failure. He is eligible to compete again in March 2026.

December 2025: McGregor's Further Appeal Denied by Supreme Court

In December 2025, McGregor's further appeal to the Supreme Court, using new lawyers, was denied. The judges found that he had had a fair hearing and had used his right of appeal. Nikita Hand welcomed the decision.