Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Conor McGregor

Public opinion and media debates around Conor McGregor—discover key moments of controversy.

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

2009: Assault Offense as Apprentice Plumber

In 2009, when Conor McGregor was an apprentice plumber, he received the Probation Act for an assault causing harm offense.

2015: McGregor accused of racially taunting José Aldo

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

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 2017: McGregor pleads guilty to speeding

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

November 2017: McGregor's behavior at Bellator 187

On 10 November 2017, McGregor jumped the cage at Bellator 187 to celebrate his teammate's win, confronted the referee, and checked on the downed opponent, leading to controversy.

2017: McGregor accused of racism towards Floyd Mayweather Jr.

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

April 2018: Nurmagomedov Confronts Lobov

In April 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov confronted Artem Lobov, a member of McGregor's team, leading to tensions that would later escalate at UFC 229.

April 2018: 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. Lobov is known to be close to McGregor, with whom Nurmagomedov has had altercations and trash talk exchanges.

April 2018: McGregor attacks bus at UFC 223

On 5 April 2018, McGregor and a group attacked a bus carrying UFC 223 fighters, including throwing a metal dolly at the window, injuring Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg.

June 2018: McGregor Released on Bail

In June 2018, Conor McGregor was released on $50,000 bail until June 14 following charges of assault, criminal mischief, menacing, and reckless endangerment related to an incident at the Barclays Center.

September 2018: Chiesa Sues McGregor

On September 12, 2018, Michael Chiesa announced a lawsuit against Conor McGregor, claiming he experienced pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life as a result of McGregor's attack.

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.

November 2018: McGregor pleads guilty to speeding

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

December 2018: Alleged Assault and Rape

In December 2018, Conor McGregor allegedly assaulted and raped a woman, which led to a civil case in the Irish High Court.

December 2018: Police Investigation into Sexual Assault Allegations

In December 2018, Conor McGregor was under investigation by the Garda Síochána (police) following allegations of a sexual assault on a woman in a Dublin hotel.

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).

December 2018: Alleged Violent Assault

In December 2018, there was an alleged violent assault that took place in Dublin, which was brought to court years later.

December 2018: Assault and rape Dublin court case

In light of a 2024 Dublin court case, McGregor was found to have assaulted and raped a woman in December 2018. As a result Proximo Spirits announced it would no longer use McGregor's name or image on the drink.

2018: Prior Convictions Revealed

In 2018, it was revealed that Conor McGregor had 18 prior convictions dating back to 2009, with the majority being for driving offences.

2018: Initial Alleged Sexual Assault

In December 2018, there was an alleged sexual assault involving Conor McGregor. A civil claim for damages was later launched in the High Court.

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: McGregor arrested for attacking a fan in Miami

In March 2019, McGregor was arrested in Miami Beach for attacking a fan taking a picture with a cellphone, resulting in charges of strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief.

March 2019: New York Times Reports Investigation

In March 2019, The New York Times reported that 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.

April 2019: McGregor assaults a man at the Marble Arch pub

On April 6, 2019, McGregor had previously assaulted a man at the Marble Arch pub.

August 2019: Video Surfaces of McGregor Punching Man in Pub

On August 15, 2019, TMZ Sports published a video showing Conor McGregor punching an older man at The Marble Arch Pub in Dublin on April 6 after the man repeatedly declined McGregor's offer of a shot of his whiskey.

October 2019: Second Allegation of Sexual Assault Reported

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

October 2019: McGregor Appears in Court for Assault Charge

On October 11, 2019, Conor McGregor first appeared in court on an assault charge related to punching a man in a Dublin pub.

January 2021: Civil Claim Launched for 2018 Alleged Assault

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

October 2021: McGregor Allegedly Assaults Francesco Facchinetti

On October 17, 2021, Conor McGregor allegedly assaulted Francesco Facchinetti, an Italian musician and TV presenter, in a nightclub in Rome, breaking Facchinetti's nose. Facchinetti filed charges a few days later.

2021: Lobov sues McGregor for proceeds from whiskey deal

In late November 2022, Artem Lobov sued McGregor, seeking five percent of the proceeds from the $600 million whiskey deal conducted in 2021.

March 2022: Pre-Trial Discovery Order Against McGregor

In March 2022, the High Court made a pre-trial discovery order against Conor McGregor, requiring the Gardaí to disclose certain information and documents gathered by them regarding the 2018 allegations.

March 2022: McGregor arrested for driving offences

On 22 March 2022, McGregor was arrested in Dublin and charged with six driving offences, including dangerous driving, and his car was seized.

March 2022: McGregor appears in court

On 23 June 2022, McGregor appeared in Blanchardstown District Court in relation to the events on 22 March 2022 and was remanded on continuing bail pending "further charges".

April 2022: McGregor scheduled to appear in court

In April 2022, McGregor was scheduled to appear before Blanchardstown district court in relation to his March arrest for driving offenses.

June 2022: McGregor appears in court

On 23 June 2022, McGregor appeared in Blanchardstown District Court in relation to the events on 22 March 2022 and was remanded on continuing bail pending "further charges".

July 2022: Alleged Assault on Yacht in Ibiza

On July 22, 2022, an alleged assault occurred aboard Conor McGregor's yacht in Ibiza, Spain, where a woman claimed she was berated and physically assaulted during his birthday party.

September 2022: McGregor charged with 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.

November 2022: Lobov sues McGregor for proceeds from whiskey deal

In late November 2022, Artem Lobov sued McGregor, seeking five percent of the proceeds from the $600 million whiskey deal conducted in 2021.

January 2023: Accusations of Assault Surface

In January 2023, Conor McGregor was accused of assaulting a woman on his yacht in Ibiza, Spain, in July 2022. The woman gave a formal statement with Irish police, who then shared that statement with their Spanish counterparts.

January 2023: Lobov's defamation lawsuit denied

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

January 2023: Trial postponed due to illness

In January 2023, McGregor's defence argued that he could not attend the trial due to illness, and the judge ordered the trial to start on 31 July 2024.

February 2023: Lawsuit Discontinued

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

June 9, 2023: Alleged Sexual Assault During NBA Finals

On June 9, 2023, it is alleged that Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman during an NBA Finals game in Miami. According to court documents, McGregor "intentionally engaged in unlawful sexual contact" with the victim.

June 2023: McGregor Punches Miami Heat Mascot

On June 10, 2023, during Game Four of the NBA Finals in Miami, Florida, Conor McGregor punched the Miami Heat's mascot, Burnie (Heat dancer Chris Brown), twice during a planned skit, sending Brown to the emergency room. McGregor claimed on June 13 that "it was a skit" and that "all is well".

June 2023: Miami Police Investigate Sexual Assault Allegation

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

November 2023: McGregor criticises Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

In November 2023, McGregor criticised Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for his views on immigration and his failure to mention Hamas when discussing an Irish hostage's release.

November 2023: McGregor makes anti-immigration statements

In November 2023, in response to a stabbing in Dublin, McGregor made multiple anti-immigration statements on social media, including tweeting that "Ireland is at war".

2023: Controversial Comments

In 2023, Conor McGregor made controversial comments about the Dublin riots, the Irish government's immigration policy, and race.

June 2024: Attack on Hand's Partner and Home

In June 2024, after the trial, it emerged that 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: Trial start date

The start date for the trial was on 31 July 2024.

November 2024: Irish High Court Ruling

In November 2024, the Irish High Court found Conor McGregor liable for assaulting and raping a woman in December 2018, ordering him to pay over €248,000 in damages.

November 2024: Jury Finds McGregor Raped Hand

On November 22, 2024, the jury returned their verdict and found that McGregor had raped Hand. Accordingly, McGregor was ordered to pay Hand nearly €250,000 in damages.

December 2024: Legal Costs Order

In December 2024, Conor McGregor was further ordered to pay approximately €1,500,000 to cover the legal costs of the woman he assaulted and raped in December 2018.

December 2024: McGregor Ordered to Pay Legal Costs

On December 5, 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: Complaints about Forged Irish Stout upheld

In 2024, complaints about the sexualised nature of Forged Irish Stout's advertising were upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland.

2024: Sponsors cease collaboration with McGregor

In 2024, in light of Dublin court case, IO Interactive video game company ceased its collaboration with McGregor, retailers stopped selling his stout and whiskey brands.

2024: Proximo Spirits no longer use McGregor's name

In the aftermath of a 2024 Dublin court case, Proximo Spirits announced it would no longer use McGregor's name or image on the Proper No. Twelve drink.

January 15, 2025: Lawsuit Filed Against McGregor for Alleged Sexual Assault

On January 15, 2025, a lawsuit was filed against Conor 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.