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, best known for his career 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 joining the UFC, McGregor was also a champion in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC), holding both the Featherweight and Lightweight titles simultaneously. He is a significant figure in the world of mixed martial arts.

Sections (5)

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

2009: McGregor Given Probation Act for Assault

In 2009, Conor McGregor, while an apprentice plumber, was given the Probation Act for an assault causing harm offence.

March 2016: Scuffle with Diaz

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

November 2017: McGregor Fined for Speeding in Rathcoole

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

November 2017: McGregor's Cage Incident at Bellator 187

On 10 November 2017, after his SBG Ireland teammate Charlie Ward knocked out John Redmond at Bellator 187 in Dublin, Conor McGregor jumped the cage to celebrate. He confronted referee Marc Goddard and checked on the downed Redmond in a wild melee.

April 2018: Nurmagomedov's Entourage Confronts Lobov

In April 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov and his entourage cornered and slapped Artem Lobov at a hotel in Brooklyn, New York, escalating tensions with Conor McGregor's camp.

April 2018: McGregor Charged After Barclays Center Bus Attack

In April 2018, following the bus attack at the Barclays Center, Conor McGregor turned himself in and was charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief. He was released on $50,000 bail.

April 2018: McGregor Attacks Bus at Barclays Center

On 5 April 2018, Conor McGregor and a group attacked a bus carrying Khabib Nurmagomedov and other UFC 223 fighters at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. McGregor threw a metal dolly at the bus, injuring Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg.

June 2018: McGregor Awaits Further Legal Action

In June 2018, Conor McGregor was released on $50,000 bail until June 14, 2018, following the bus attack at the Barclays Center, while waiting for further legal action.

September 2018: Chiesa Files Lawsuit Against McGregor

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

October 2018: Post-Fight Brawl at UFC 229

Following his fight at UFC 229 on 6 October 2018, Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped out of the cage and charged towards Conor McGregor's training partner Dillon Danis, leading to a brawl. McGregor punched Abubakar Nurmagomedov, and Nurmagomedov's cornermen retaliated.

October 2018: NSAC Withholds Nurmagomedov's Payment After UFC 229 Brawl

In October 2018, following the post-fight brawl at UFC 229, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) withheld Khabib Nurmagomedov's payment pending an investigation. A formal complaint was filed against both McGregor and Nurmagomedov.

November 2018: McGregor Fined and Disqualified for Speeding in Kill

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: NSAC Holds Hearing on UFC 229 Brawl

In December 2018, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) held an official hearing regarding the brawl that occurred after UFC 229.

2018: Civil case of assault and rape

In 2018, Conor McGregor was involved in a civil case for assault and rape, which later led to a court ruling in November 2024.

2018: McGregor's Prior Convictions Revealed

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

January 2019: McGregor Suspended and Fined by NSAC

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

March 2019: McGregor Arrested for Attacking Fan in Miami

On 11 March 2019, Conor 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 and released on a $5,000 bond.

April 2019: Assault at the Marble Arch

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

August 2019: Video Surfaces of McGregor Punching Man in Pub

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

October 2019: McGregor Appears in Court for Pub Assault

On 11 October 2019, Conor McGregor first appeared in court and was charged with assault for punching an older man at The Marble Arch Pub in Dublin on 6 April. The court heard that McGregor had 18 prior convictions.

October 2021: McGregor Accused of Assaulting Italian Musician

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

March 2022: McGregor Arrested for Driving Offences

On 22 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.

April 2022: McGregor Scheduled to Appear in Court for Driving Offences

In April 2022, Conor McGregor was scheduled to appear before Blanchardstown district court in relation to his arrest on March 22, 2022 for driving offences. If convicted, he could face a fine of up to €5,000, six months' imprisonment, or both.

June 2022: McGregor Appears in Court for Driving Offences

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

August 2022: Artem Lobov alleges McGregor initially considered vodka before whiskey

In August 2022, Artem Lobov alleged in an interview that McGregor initially considered creating a vodka product, but Lobov pitched the idea of doing a whiskey instead. Lobov also claimed to have conducted the background study and business deals for the product.

September 2022: McGregor Faces Additional Charge in Driving Case

On 8 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 license or insurance.

November 2022: Artem Lobov Sues McGregor Over Whiskey Deal

In November 2022, news surfaced that Artem Lobov sued McGregor, seeking five percent of the proceeds from a $600 million deal conducted in 2021. Following the lawsuit, McGregor sent social media messages to Lobov, who then filed another lawsuit against McGregor for defamation, intimidation, and harassment.

January 2023: McGregor's Driving Trial Postponed

In January 2023, Conor McGregor's driving trial, originally set to begin, was postponed after his defence argued he could not attend due to being unwell. The trial was then ordered to start on 31 July 2024.

January 2023: Lobov's Lawsuit Against McGregor Denied

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

2023: Controversial Comments on Dublin Riots

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

July 2024: McGregor Receives 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.

November 2024: Irish High Court Ruling

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

December 2024: Ordered to Pay Legal Costs

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

2024: Advertising Complaints Upheld for Forged Irish Stout

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

March 2025: Announced Intention to Stand for President

In March 2025, McGregor announced his intention to stand as an independent candidate in the 2025 Irish presidential election and has expressed views dubbed anti-immigration, far-right, and national populist.