Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Conor McGregor

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

Conor McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist, most notably recognized for his accomplishments 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 his UFC career, McGregor also held simultaneous Featherweight and Lightweight titles in the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC), solidifying his reputation as a dominant force in mixed martial arts.

Sections (5)

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

2009: Assault Offence as Apprentice Plumber

The court heard in October 2019 that he was given the Probation Act in 2009 for an assault causing harm offence when he was an apprentice plumber.

2015: Accusations of Racially Taunting José Aldo

Ahead of his 2015 bout with Brazilian fighter José Aldo, McGregor was accused of racially taunting Aldo.

March 2016: Scuffle with Diaz

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

2016: Exchange of Nude Pictures with Azealia Banks

In 2016, Azealia Banks and McGregor had in fact been exchanging unsolicited nude pictures

November 2017: Speeding Fine

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

November 2017: Cage Incident at Bellator 187

On November 10, 2017, at Bellator 187 in Dublin, McGregor jumped the cage to celebrate his teammate Charlie Ward's win, confronted referee Marc Goddard, and checked on the downed John Redmond while he was trying to get up.

2017: Accusations of Racism

In 2017, McGregor was accused of racism after taunting boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. ahead of their August 26 boxing match with racial slurs and disrespectful remarks. He later responded in a post via Instagram defending himself.

April 2018: Nurmagomedov Confronts Lobov

In April 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov and his entourage cornered and slapped Artem Lobov at a hotel in Brooklyn, which is relevant to the post-fight brawl in October 2018 following UFC 229.

April 2018: Arrest and Charges for Barclays Center Incident

In April 2018, after attacking a bus at the Barclays Center, McGregor turned himself in and was charged with assault and criminal mischief. He hired Bruce Mafeo as his lawyer.

April 2018: Attack on UFC 223 Bus

On April 5, 2018, during promotional appearances for UFC 223, McGregor and a group attacked a bus carrying fighters including Rose Namajunas and Michael Chiesa at the Barclays Center, injuring Chiesa and Ray Borg with a metal equipment dolly. He was attempting to confront Khabib Nurmagomedov.

June 2018: Release on Bail

Following the UFC 223 bus attack, McGregor was released on $50,000 bail until June 14, 2018, with travel permitted without restriction.

September 2018: Lawsuit from Michael Chiesa

On September 12, 2018, Michael Chiesa announced a lawsuit against McGregor, claiming he "experienced pain, suffering and a loss of enjoyment of life" as a result of the April 2018 bus attack.

October 2018: Post-Fight Brawl at UFC 229

Following the UFC 229 fight on October 6, 2018, 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 Incident

Following the fight at UFC 229 on October 6, 2018, a brawl broke out involving McGregor and Nurmagomedov's team, leading to investigations and suspensions.

November 2018: Driving Disqualification

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: NSAC Hearing

In December 2018, McGregor and Nurmagomedov faced an official hearing by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) regarding their actions following the fight at UFC 229.

December 2018: Sexual Assault Allegation in Dublin Hotel

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

December 2018: Alleged Violent Assault and Rape

In December 2018, Nikita Hand alleged that McGregor violently beat and raped her in Dublin.

December 2018: Assault and Rape Case

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

2018: Assault and Rape Allegations

In 2018, Conor McGregor allegedly assaulted and raped a woman, leading to a civil case that resulted in a ruling against him in November 2024.

2018: Alleged Sexual Assault

In 2018, McGregor was allegedly involved in a sexual assault incident.

2018: Prior Convictions

The court heard that McGregor had 18 prior convictions from 2018 when he appeared in court in October 2019. The majority were for driving offences.

January 2019: Suspension and Fine

On January 29, 2019, the NSAC announced a six-month suspension for McGregor (retroactive to October 6, 2018) and a $50,000 fine following the UFC 229 brawl.

March 2019: New York Times Reports on Investigation

In March 2019, The New York Times reported that McGregor was under investigation by the Garda Síochána (police) for a sexual assault that allegedly occurred in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

March 2019: Arrest for Attacking a Fan

On March 11, 2019, McGregor was arrested outside of the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, for attacking a fan taking a picture with a cellphone. He was charged with strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief, later released on a $5,000 bond, and faced a civil lawsuit which was later dropped.

April 2019: Assault at Marble Arch

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

August 2019: Assault at The Marble Arch Pub

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

October 2019: Second Allegation of Sexual Assault

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

October 2019: Court Appearance for Assault

On October 11, 2019, McGregor first appeared in court and was charged with assault for the incident at The Marble Arch Pub in Dublin on April 6, 2019. The court heard he had 18 prior convictions from 2009 onwards.

September 2020: Arrest in Corsica

On September 10, 2020, McGregor was arrested in Corsica on suspicion of attempted sexual assault and indecent exposure. He was released without charge after being held in custody for two days. Eight months later, the investigation was dropped due to insufficient evidence.

January 2021: Civil Claim Launched

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. McGregor's spokeswoman rejected the allegations.

October 2021: Alleged Assault in Rome

On October 17, 2021, 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.

March 2022: Pre-Trial Discovery Order

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 related to the civil claim.

March 2022: Arrest and Charges

On March 22, 2022, McGregor was arrested and charged with six driving offenses, and his car was seized.

March 2022: Arrest for Driving Offences

On March 22, 2022, McGregor was arrested in Dublin and charged with six driving offences, including dangerous driving. His car was seized by the Irish police.

April 2022: Court Appearance Scheduled

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

June 2022: Court Appearance and Remand

On June 23, 2022, McGregor appeared in Blanchardstown District Court regarding his March 2022 arrest. He was remanded on continuing bail pending further charges.

July 2022: Allegations of Assault on Yacht

In July 2022, during his birthday party in Ibiza, Spain, McGregor was accused of assaulting a woman on his yacht. The woman claimed she was verbally abused and physically assaulted, leading her to jump off the yacht and sustain a broken arm.

August 2022: Lobov's Allegations Regarding Whiskey Idea

In August 2022, Artem Lobov alleged that Conor McGregor initially planned to create a vodka product, but Lobov pitched the idea for a whiskey instead, also claiming he conducted the background study and business deals.

September 2022: Additional Charge and Trial Date

On September 8, 2022, McGregor was charged with an additional charge of careless driving, adding to the six charges he already faced from the March 2022 incident. The trial was originally set to begin in January 2023.

November 2022: Lobov Sues McGregor

In November 2022, news broke that Artem Lobov sued Conor McGregor, seeking five percent of the proceeds from the $600 million deal conducted in 2021.

January 2023: Trial Delay

In January 2023, McGregor's trial was delayed due to his being unwell. The judge ordered the trial to start on July 31, 2024.

January 2023: Lobov's Defamation Lawsuit Denied

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

January 2023: Formal Statement and Civil Suit

In January 2023, the woman who accused McGregor of assault in July 2022 gave a formal statement to Irish police, which was shared with Spanish authorities. She also filed a civil suit against McGregor regarding the alleged incident. Following her statement, her car was burned outside her home.

February 2023: Lawsuit Discontinued

In February 2023, it was reported that the lawsuit filed against McGregor regarding the alleged assault on his yacht 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 49-year-old woman in a bathroom at the Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat, during an NBA Finals game.

June 2023: NBA Finals Skit Incident

On June 10, 2023, McGregor appeared at Game Four of the NBA Finals in Miami, Florida, to promote his pain relief spray in a planned skit with the Miami Heat's mascot, Burnie. McGregor punched the mascot (Heat dancer Chris Brown) with an off-script second punch, resulting in Brown being treated in a hospital. On June 13, McGregor claimed it was a skit and that "all is well".

June 2023: Sexual Assault Report in Miami

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

November 2023: Anti-Immigration Statements and Incitement Investigation

In November 2023, following the stabbing of a woman and three children in Dublin, McGregor made multiple anti-immigration statements on social media, including tweeting that "Ireland is at war." He was subsequently investigated for incitement to hatred.

November 2023: Criticism of Taoiseach Over Hamas Response

On November 26, 2023, McGregor criticised then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for his views on immigration and for his failure to mention Hamas when discussing the release of an Irish hostage.

2023: Controversial Comments

In 2023, Conor McGregor's comments on the Dublin riots and immigration policy in Ireland sparked controversy.

June 2024: Attack on Partner's Home

In June 2024, 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: Driving Ban and Suspended Sentence

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

November 2024: Irish High Court Ruling

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 Raped Hand

On November 22, 2024, the jury returned their verdict and found that McGregor had raped Hand, and he was ordered to pay her nearly €250,000 in damages. The trial began on November 5, 2024, in the High Court in Dublin.

December 2024: Legal Costs Order

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

December 2024: Legal Costs Order and Contempt Warning

On December 5, 2024, Justice Owens ordered McGregor to pay Hand's legal costs, approximately €1,500,000, and warned that he may face contempt of court proceedings for his social media comments about the case.

2024: Complaints about Forged Irish Stout Advertising

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

2024: Delisting of Brands

In light of a 2024 Dublin court case, in which McGregor was found to have assaulted and raped a woman in December 2018, Rape Crisis Network Ireland called for retailers to stop selling his stout and whiskey brands.

2024: Removal of Name/Image From Alcohol Products

January 15, 2025: Lawsuit Filed for Sexual Assault

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 lawsuit also names the Miami Heat and arena staff as defendants.

March 2025: No Charges for Incitement

In March 2025, it was announced that McGregor would not be charged for incitement following his social media statements in November 2023.

March 2025: Visit to White House and Presidential Announcement

On March 17, 2025, McGregor visited the White House in Washington DC for a Saint Patrick's Day event. During the visit, he claimed that Ireland was "on the cusp of losing its Irishness" and announced his intention to stand as an independent candidate in the 2025 Irish presidential election.

July 2025: Lost Appeal

In July 2025, Conor McGregor lost an appeal on the verdict of the civil case from 2024.

July 2025: Appeal Withdrawn and Ruling Upheld

In July 2025, McGregor withdrew his application to bring in new witnesses and evidence in support of his appeal against the finding that he had raped Hand. On July 31, McGregor lost his appeal, and the original ruling was upheld.

July 2025: Azealia Banks Accuses McGregor of Sending Unsolicited Pics

In July 2025, rapper Azealia Banks accused McGregor of sending her unsolicited dick pics on Twitter. However, she later stated that they had been exchanging unsolicited nude pictures as far back as 2016.