CONOR McGREGOR The Notorious

Irish fighter · UFC champion · global combat-sports figure

CONOR McGREGOR

“THE NOTORIOUS”

Conor McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist, former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, and one of the most recognizable figures in modern combat sports.

Written by Editorial Team Updated
Explore his story View career
22–7–0MMA record
0–1Boxing record
2UFC divisional titles
13 secAldo title KO

Biography

Early Life and Background

Conor Anthony McGregor was born on July 14, 1988, in Dublin, Ireland, and was raised primarily in the Crumlin area of the city. Sport played an important role in his early years. He played football as a child before becoming increasingly interested in combat sports.

At approximately 12 years old, McGregor began boxing at Crumlin Boxing Club. That training helped establish the punching mechanics, timing and distance management that would later become central elements of his MMA style. His interest gradually expanded beyond traditional boxing into mixed martial arts.

Before committing fully to fighting, McGregor spent time as a plumber's apprentice. After meeting fellow Irish fighter Tom Egan, he became more deeply involved in MMA and eventually began training at Straight Blast Gym Ireland (SBG Ireland) under coach John Kavanagh.

McGregor's early commitment to the sport was not always consistent. UFC accounts of his development describe Kavanagh as an important influence in persuading him to dedicate himself fully to fighting. That partnership became one of the defining relationships of his professional career.

From Dublin to global stardom

Career Timeline

2008

Professional MMA debut

2012

Cage Warriors double champion

2013

UFC debut

2015

UFC featherweight champion

2016

UFC lightweight champion

2017

Boxing vs Mayweather

2018–2021

Major rivalries and return bouts

2026

Return to UFC competition

Championships · rivalries · history

Beginning of His MMA Career

McGregor made his amateur MMA debut in 2007 and turned professional the following year. His first professional bout took place on March 9, 2008, when he defeated Gary Morris by TKO in the second round.

During the early part of his career, McGregor competed at both featherweight and lightweight. His record was not perfect from the beginning. Early submission defeats highlighted areas of his game that still required development, but he continued training and eventually established himself as one of the most dangerous finishers on the Irish and European MMA scene.

Between 2011 and 2012, his career accelerated. A long winning streak, combined with repeated knockout victories, brought him increasing attention and eventually championship opportunities in Cage Warriors.

Cage Warriors

Cage Warriors Champion

Before joining the UFC, McGregor achieved one of the most important milestones of his early career in Cage Warriors Fighting Championship.

He first captured the Cage Warriors featherweight championship and then moved up to lightweight. In 2012, McGregor defeated Ivan Buchinger to win the promotion's lightweight title, making him a simultaneous champion in two weight divisions.

The achievement anticipated what he would later accomplish on an even larger stage in the UFC. By the time UFC officials signed him in 2013, McGregor had already demonstrated his ability to compete successfully across multiple weight classes and had established himself as one of Europe's leading MMA prospects.

UFC career

Conor McGregor's UFC Career

McGregor made his UFC debut on April 6, 2013, against Marcus Brimage. He won by first-round knockout and immediately attracted attention for both his striking and his confidence outside the cage.

His next UFC appearance came against future featherweight champion Max Holloway. McGregor won by unanimous decision, although he suffered a serious knee injury during the fight that required surgery and kept him out of competition for an extended period.

After returning, McGregor continued to build momentum through victories over opponents including Diego Brandão and Dustin Poirier. His combination of finishes, predictions, press-conference performances and growing support from Irish fans made his rise unusually rapid. By 2015, he was competing for UFC championship gold.

2015

Chad Mendes

Second-round TKO · Interim UFC Featherweight Championship

2015

José Aldo

13-second KO · Undisputed UFC Featherweight Championship

2016

Nate Diaz II

Majority decision · UFC 202

2016

Eddie Alvarez

Second-round TKO · UFC Lightweight Championship

2018

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Submission loss · UFC 229

2021

Dustin Poirier III

TKO loss (injury) · UFC 264

Interim Featherweight Championship

McGregor was originally scheduled to challenge UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo at UFC 189 in July 2015. Aldo withdrew because of a rib injury, and Chad Mendes stepped in to face McGregor for the interim featherweight championship.

Mendes presented a different challenge because of his wrestling ability, but McGregor survived difficult periods and increased his striking pressure as the fight progressed. He stopped Mendes late in the second round to become Interim UFC Featherweight Champion. The victory guaranteed that the long-awaited championship unification fight against Aldo would remain one of the biggest events on the UFC calendar.

Conor McGregor vs José Aldo

McGregor faced José Aldo at UFC 194 on December 12, 2015. The buildup had lasted for months. Aldo was the established featherweight champion and had not lost a professional fight in approximately a decade. Once the fight began, however, the result came almost immediately.

As Aldo moved forward with a punching combination, McGregor countered with his left hand. Aldo fell to the canvas and the referee stopped the contest after follow-up strikes. The official time was just 13 seconds.

With the victory, McGregor became the undisputed UFC Featherweight Champion. The finish was also recorded as the fastest finish in a UFC championship fight. The knockout remains one of the defining moments of McGregor's career because it combined several of his trademark qualities: distance control, timing, precision and counter-punching.

Rivalry with Nate Diaz

Instead of immediately defending the featherweight championship, McGregor pursued opportunities in higher weight classes. In March 2016, he faced Nate Diaz at UFC 196 in a welterweight bout. Diaz had accepted the fight on relatively short notice after McGregor's original opponent withdrew.

McGregor began strongly with his striking, but Diaz absorbed the early offense and increased his pressure as the fight continued. In the second round, Diaz hurt McGregor on the feet before securing a rear-naked choke. McGregor submitted, giving Diaz the victory.

The two met again at UFC 202 in August 2016. This time the fight went the full five rounds. McGregor won by majority decision, making the rivalry 1–1. Their contrasting personalities, durability and fighting styles helped turn the two contests into one of the most prominent rivalries of McGregor's UFC career.

Becoming a Two-Division UFC Champion

After the second Diaz fight, McGregor returned to championship competition. At UFC 205 on November 12, 2016, he challenged UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

McGregor controlled much of the fight with his movement, counter-punching and left hand. He dropped Alvarez several times before earning a second-round TKO at 3:04.

The result gave McGregor the UFC Lightweight Championship while he still held the featherweight belt. He therefore became the first fighter in UFC history to hold championships in two weight divisions simultaneously. McGregor later vacated the featherweight championship and retained the lightweight title.

Boxing career

Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather

In 2017, McGregor temporarily moved away from MMA to compete in professional boxing. His opponent was Floyd Mayweather Jr., an undefeated multiple-division world boxing champion. The bout took place on August 26, 2017, in Las Vegas.

It was McGregor's first official professional boxing match. Despite his extensive striking experience in MMA, boxing required him to compete under a significantly different ruleset against one of the most accomplished defensive boxers of his era.

McGregor had periods of early success and remained competitive through the opening rounds, but Mayweather gradually increased the pressure as the fight progressed. The referee stopped the contest in the tenth round, giving Mayweather a TKO victory.

The result left McGregor with a professional boxing record of 0 wins and 1 loss. The event nevertheless demonstrated his ability to attract an audience beyond traditional MMA and became one of the most widely discussed crossover fights between boxing and mixed martial arts.

Return to UFC

Return to UFC

Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov

McGregor returned to the Octagon in October 2018 to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 229. Nurmagomedov used his wrestling, pressure and ground control to dictate significant portions of the contest. In the fourth round, he secured a neck crank and forced McGregor to submit at 3:03.

Conor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone

After another period away from competition, McGregor returned against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 246 on January 18, 2020. The bout lasted only 40 seconds. McGregor hurt Cerrone early and followed with a rapid series of strikes to earn a first-round TKO.

Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier

McGregor's rivalry with Dustin Poirier eventually developed into a trilogy. McGregor had defeated Poirier by first-round TKO when they initially fought at featherweight in 2014. Years later, the two met again at UFC 257 in January 2021. This time Poirier won by second-round TKO.

Their third fight took place at UFC 264 in July 2021. Near the end of the first round, McGregor suffered a serious leg injury. The bout was stopped by the doctor and officially recorded as a TKO victory for Poirier. The injury began a lengthy period of rehabilitation and kept McGregor away from UFC competition for approximately five years.

Fighting style

Precision. Timing. Damage.

Conor McGregor is primarily known as a southpaw striker. Although MMA requires competence across striking, wrestling and grappling, much of McGregor's most successful offense has been built around boxing mechanics, counter-punching and precise distance control.

His left hand has historically been his most dangerous weapon. Rather than relying only on raw power, McGregor frequently creates knockout opportunities by drawing opponents into range and countering as they move forward. The José Aldo knockout is a particularly clear example: McGregor moved away from Aldo's attack while simultaneously landing a short counter left.

McGregor also uses a wide variety of kicks, including front kicks and spinning attacks, to manage distance and change an opponent's rhythm. His stance and movement can create unusual angles before he transitions into punching combinations.

Timing has been central to his effectiveness. At his best, McGregor has combined pressure with patient counter-striking, forcing opponents to react before attacking the openings created by those reactions.

His professional record reflects that emphasis on striking: UFC currently lists 19 of his 22 MMA victories as knockouts, with one submission win and two victories by decision.

MMA record

22–7–0

19 KO/TKO wins 1 submission 2 decisions
Stance
Southpaw
Reach
74 in / 188 cm
Team
SBG Ireland
Status
Active — UFC profile, Sep 2026

Boxing record

0–1

One professional boxing contest: Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated McGregor by tenth-round TKO in 2017.

Championship résumé

Championships and Major Achievements

UFC

UFC

Featherweight Champion
Lightweight Champion
Interim Featherweight Champion
First simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history

CW

Cage Warriors

Featherweight Champion
Lightweight Champion
Simultaneous champion in two divisions

13

Iconic Victory

13-second knockout of José Aldo — the fastest finish in UFC championship-fight history.

3×

Multiple Divisions

UFC victories across featherweight, lightweight and welterweight.

Beyond the cage

Personal Brand and Impact on Combat Sports

McGregor's influence on combat sports has never been limited to his results inside the cage.

“The Notorious” developed a highly recognizable public persona built around confidence, elaborate predictions, distinctive fashion and confrontational pre-fight promotion. His press conferences frequently became major parts of the promotion surrounding his fights, helping expand interest beyond traditional MMA audiences.

That ability to generate attention coincided with major sporting achievements. His championship run, the rivalry with Nate Diaz, the UFC 205 lightweight title victory, the Nurmagomedov fight and the crossover boxing match with Mayweather all became major international combat-sports events.

The UFC and McGregor's official biography describe him as one of the promotion's most significant commercial attractions. His success helped demonstrate how an MMA athlete could build an individual global brand while remaining closely associated with the UFC.

Outside competition, McGregor has also been involved in several business ventures and entertainment projects. Those activities expanded the “Conor McGregor” brand beyond MMA, although his championship career remains the foundation of his international profile.

Conor McGregor today

Still a Global Force

McGregor's status changed significantly in 2026. After being absent from UFC competition since his leg injury against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, McGregor returned to the Octagon on July 11, 2026, at UFC 329.

His opponent was Max Holloway, whom McGregor had previously defeated by decision in 2013. The 2026 rematch ended in the first round, with UFC's official record listing McGregor as losing by TKO due to injury at 1:09.

As of September 2026, UFC lists McGregor as active with a professional MMA record of 22 wins and 7 losses.

His career has therefore stretched from the regional Irish and European MMA circuit to Cage Warriors championships, two UFC titles, a professional boxing match against Floyd Mayweather and a return to UFC competition after a five-year absence.

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Conor McGregor?

Conor McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist and former UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion. He became the first fighter in UFC history to hold championships in two weight classes simultaneously.

Is Conor McGregor a boxer?

McGregor has a boxing background and has competed professionally in boxing, but his primary professional sport is mixed martial arts. His only official professional boxing bout was against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2017.

What is Conor McGregor's MMA record?

As of September 2026, UFC lists Conor McGregor's professional MMA record as 22–7–0, including 19 knockout victories.

What is Conor McGregor's boxing record?

McGregor's professional boxing record is 0–1. His only official professional boxing contest was his 2017 loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

How many UFC belts did Conor McGregor win?

McGregor won the UFC Featherweight Championship and UFC Lightweight Championship. Before becoming undisputed featherweight champion, he also held the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship.

Did Conor McGregor fight Floyd Mayweather?

Yes. McGregor faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a professional boxing match on August 26, 2017. Mayweather won by TKO in the tenth round.

How fast did Conor McGregor knock out José Aldo?

McGregor knocked out José Aldo in 13 seconds at UFC 194 on December 12, 2015. The result remains the fastest finish in UFC championship-fight history.

What is Conor McGregor's nickname?

Conor McGregor's nickname is “The Notorious.”

From his early boxing training in Crumlin to simultaneous Cage Warriors championships, UFC history and a crossover fight with Floyd Mayweather, Conor McGregor has built one of the most distinctive careers in modern combat sports. His 13-second victory over José Aldo and his two-division UFC championship remain the defining competitive achievements of that career, while his public profile helped bring MMA to an audience far beyond the traditional fight community.

Sources & verification

Built for factual trust

Career statistics and current status should be rechecked immediately before production publication. The page was prepared from UFC records, Conor McGregor's official About page, Cage Warriors material and Wikipedia as a secondary chronology source.