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 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

2009: Assault conviction as an apprentice plumber

In October 2019, during a court appearance for an assault in April 2019, it was revealed that McGregor was given the Probation Act in 2009 when he was an apprentice plumber for an assault causing harm offence.

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.

2015: Racial taunt accusation

In 2015, ahead of his bout with José Aldo, McGregor was accused of racially taunting Aldo.

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 2017: Guilty plea for speeding

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

November 2017: Cage jumping incident at Bellator 187

In November 2017, at Bellator 187 in Dublin, McGregor jumped the cage after his teammate Charlie Ward's victory, leading to a confrontation with referee Marc Goddard and an incident involving the downed opponent John Redmond.

2017: Racism accusation during Mayweather promotion

In 2017, McGregor was accused of racism after taunting Floyd Mayweather Jr. ahead of their August 26 boxing match, telling him to "Dance for me, boy," at a promotional event in Los Angeles.

April 2018: Arrest and charges for Barclays Center attack

In April 2018, McGregor was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief after attacking a bus at the Barclays Center. He initially fled but turned himself in and was released on $50,000 bail.

April 2018: Attack on UFC 223 bus

In April 2018, during promotional appearances for UFC 223, McGregor and a group attacked a bus carrying Khabib Nurmagomedov and other fighters at the Barclays Center, resulting in injuries to Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg.

June 2018: Bail conditions following Barclays Center incident

In June 2018, following the Barclays Center incident in April 2018, McGregor was released on $50,000 bail until June 14, 2018, with bail conditions that allowed him to travel without restriction.

September 2018: Lawsuit filed by Michael Chiesa

In September 2018, Michael Chiesa announced a lawsuit against McGregor, claiming that he "experienced pain, suffering and a loss of enjoyment of life" as a result of the April 2018 attack on the UFC 223 bus.

October 2018: Post-fight brawl at UFC 229

In October 2018, following his fight at UFC 229, Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped out of the cage and charged towards McGregor's training partner Dillon Danis, leading to a brawl involving McGregor and members of Nurmagomedov's team.

October 2018: UFC 229 post-fight brawl

In October 2018, following the fight at UFC 229, Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped out of the cage and charged towards McGregor's training partner Dillon Danis, leading to a brawl involving McGregor and members of Nurmagomedov's team. The NSAC withheld Nurmagomedov's payment pending an investigation.

November 2018: Guilty plea for speeding and driving ban

In November 2018, Conor McGregor pleaded guilty to speeding in Kill, County Kildare, and was fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for six months.

December 2018: Alleged Violent Assault and Rape in Dublin

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

December 2018: Allegations Affect Proper No. Twelve

In December 2018, allegations of assault and rape against McGregor later affected his business venture, Proper No. Twelve, leading to changes in 2024.

December 2018: Assault and Rape Allegations Impact Sponsorships

In December 2018, allegations of assault and rape against McGregor later led to the loss of sponsorships and the delisting of his associated products.

December 2018: Sexual Assault Allegation in Dublin Hotel

In December 2018, an alleged sexual assault on a woman in a Dublin hotel led to an investigation by the Garda Síochána.

December 2018: NSAC hearing for UFC 229 brawl

In December 2018, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) held an official hearing regarding the brawl that occurred after the fight at UFC 229 in October 2018, involving McGregor and Nurmagomedov.

2018: Initial Allegation of Sexual Assault

In 2018, Conor McGregor was alleged to have committed sexual assault, which led to future legal actions.

2018: Civil case of assault and rape

In 2018, Conor McGregor was involved in an alleged incident of assault and rape, which later led to a civil case.

2018: Prior convictions mentioned in court

In October 2019, during a court appearance for the pub assault that occurred on April 6, 2019, it was revealed that McGregor had 18 prior convictions from 2018 going back to 2009, mostly for driving offences.

January 2019: Suspension and fine announced by NSAC

In January 2019, the NSAC announced a six-month suspension for McGregor (retroactive to 6 October 2018) and a $50,000 fine related to the UFC 229 brawl.

March 2019: McGregor Under Investigation for Sexual Assault Allegations

In March 2019, Conor 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.

March 2019: Arrest for attacking fan

In March 2019, McGregor was arrested outside of the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, after he attacked a fan taking a picture on his mobile phone, smashing the device on the ground. He was charged with strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief and was released on a $5,000 bond.

August 2019: Video of pub assault surfaces

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

October 2019: Court appearance for pub assault

In October 2019, McGregor first appeared in court, facing charges of assault related to the pub incident on April 6, 2019. The court heard of McGregor's prior convictions.

October 2019: Second Allegation of Sexual Assault Reported

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

January 2021: Civil Claim Launched After Sexual Assault Case Dropped

In January 2021, after prosecutors declined to prosecute McGregor for the alleged 2018 sexual assault, a civil claim for damages was launched in the High Court.

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.

October 2021: Alleged assault in Rome

In October 2021, McGregor allegedly assaulted Francesco Facchinetti, an Italian musician and TV presenter, in a nightclub in Rome, breaking Facchinetti's nose. Facchinetti filed charges against McGregor a few days later.

March 2022: Arrest for driving offenses

In March 2022, Conor McGregor was arrested in Dublin and charged with six driving offences, including two counts of dangerous driving, being uninsured, having no licence and failing to produce his documents. His car was seized by the Irish police but later returned after he was released on bail.

March 2022: Pre-Trial Discovery Order in Civil Case

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 in relation to the 2018 incident.

April 2022: Court appearance for driving offenses

In April 2022, Conor McGregor was scheduled to appear before Blanchardstown district court in relation to the driving offenses he was charged with in March 2022. He was released on bail, and his car was returned to him.

June 2022: Court appearance for driving offences

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

July 2022: Alleged assault on yacht in Ibiza

On 22 July 2022, McGregor's birthday party was held on his yacht in Ibiza, Spain. During the event, he allegedly assaulted a 42-year-old woman. The accusation surfaced in January 2023.

September 2022: Additional charge for driving offences

In September 2022, Conor McGregor was charged with an additional charge of careless driving, adding to the six charges he already faced over the incident on March 22, 2022: two charges of dangerous driving, two of allegedly driving with no license or insurance and two of failing to produce either a licence or insurance.

January 2023: Accusation of assault on yacht 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 on July 22, 2022. The woman later gave a formal statement with Irish police.

January 2023: Trial date set for driving offences

In January 2023, the trial for Conor McGregor's driving offences, related to events on March 22, 2022, was originally set to begin, but was delayed due to McGregor being unwell.

February 2023: Lawsuit discontinued in alleged yacht assault case

In late February 2023, news surfaced that the lawsuit related to the alleged assault on McGregor's yacht in Ibiza on July 22, 2022, was discontinued by the plaintiff, with no further information provided.

June 9, 2023: Alleged Sexual Assault During NBA Finals in Miami

On June 9, 2023, McGregor allegedly assaulted a 49-year-old woman in a bathroom at the Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat, during an NBA Finals game in Miami. This incident led to a lawsuit filed against McGregor in January 2025.

June 2023: Police Report of Sexual Assault at Miami Heat Arena

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 released a statement denying the allegation. The case was later dropped on 18 October.

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.

June 2024: Attack on Nikita Hand's Partner's Home

In June 2024, it emerged that Nikita Hand's partner had been stabbed and windows were smashed when attackers wearing balaclavas invaded their home. This information was withheld from the jury during the trial.

July 2024: Driving ban and suspended sentence

In July 2024, Conor McGregor was given a two-year driving ban and a five-month suspended sentence, on condition that he keeps the peace for two years, following charges related to driving offences.

November 2024: Irish High Court ruling in civil case

In November 2024, an 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 Liable for Rape

In November 2024, the jury in the High Court in Dublin returned their verdict and found that McGregor had raped Nikita Hand. Accordingly, McGregor was ordered to pay Hand nearly €250,000 in damages.

December 2024: Ordered to pay victim's 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 Legal Costs and Faces Contempt Proceedings

In December 2024, Justice Owens ordered McGregor to pay the entirety of Hand's legal costs, approximately €1,500,000, and said that he may begin contempt of court proceedings against McGregor for his comments about the case on social media after it concluded.

2024: Drug testing whereabouts failures

In 2024, Conor McGregor failed to disclose his whereabouts for drug testing on three occasions, leading to a suspension announced in October 2025.

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.

January 15, 2025: Lawsuit Filed Against McGregor for Alleged 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. The lawsuit also names the Miami Heat and arena staff as defendants, alleging gross negligence in their handling of the situation.

July 2025: Lost appeal on civil case verdict

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

July 2025: McGregor Loses Appeal in Rape Case and Faces Further Legal Action

In July 2025, McGregor withdrew his application to bring in new witnesses, Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins, and evidence in support of his appeal against the finding that he had raped Hand. 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, O'Reilly, and Cummins.

July 2025: Fire at the Black Forge Inn

On 25 July 2025, a suspicious fire occurred at the Black Forge Inn at 3am, but it was extinguished without casualties. Gardaí investigated, ruling out a petrol bomb. In July 2025, a man in his twenties was arrested in Dublin by the Special Detective Unit in connection with the fire.

October 7, 2025: Drug testing suspension announced

On October 7, 2025, it was announced that Conor McGregor had failed to disclose his whereabouts for drug testing on three occasions in 2024, resulting in an eighteen-month suspension, retroactive to the date of his failure.