Conor McGregor

Conor Anthony McGregor (born 14 July 1988 in Dublin, Ireland) is an Irish mixed martial artist, professional boxer, and businessman who rose from a modest upbringing in Crumlin to become one of the most recognizable figures in combat sports. He began training in boxing at age 12 to defend himself from bullies, later discovered mixed martial arts through a friendship with Tom Egan, and earned a black belt in Brazilian jiu‑jitsu under John Kavanagh before turning professional in 2008. McGregor quickly amassed an eight‑fight winning streak in the Irish Cage of Truth promotion, captured both the Featherweight and Lightweight titles in Cage Warriors, and signed with the UFC in 2013, where his charismatic trash‑talk and knockout power made him a fan favorite. His 13‑second knockout of José Aldo at UFC 194 set a record for the fastest finish in a UFC title fight, and a few months later he became the first fighter to hold two UFC championships simultaneously by defeating Eddie Alvarez for the Lightweight belt. Beyond the Octagon, he headlined the 2017 boxing bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr., generating over 5 million PPV buys and cementing his status as the sport’s biggest pay‑per‑view draw. Outside fighting, McGregor launched ventures such as Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey, the August McGregor tailoring line, and co‑ownership of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, while appearing in media projects including a planned remake of Road House. His career has been marred by numerous legal controversies, ranging from assault charges to a 2024 civil rape ruling that cost him major sponsorships and sparked widespread public backlash. Despite these setbacks, McGregor remains a polarising cultural icon whose influence on MMA, marketing, and popular culture endures.