Conor McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist, businessman and the biggest pay-per-view star in the history of the UFC. “The Notorious” became the first fighter in UFC history to hold world titles in two weight divisions at the same time, and his 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. was one of the richest fights ever staged. With his sharp striking, relentless self-promotion and a whiskey brand that made him hundreds of millions, McGregor turned cage fighting into a global entertainment business.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Conor Anthony McGregor |
| Age | 38 years old |
| Date of Birth | July 14, 1988 |
| Birthplace | Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Professional Mixed Martial Artist, Businessman |
| Partner | Dee Devlin (fiancée) |
| Children | Four |
| Net Worth | Approx. $200 million |
Who Is Conor McGregor?
Conor McGregor is an Irish mixed martial artist who became the most famous fighter on the planet. Born in Crumlin, Dublin, he rose from apprentice plumber to the face of the UFC in the space of a few years, winning the featherweight and lightweight titles and headlining the five highest-selling pay-per-view events in the promotion’s history. His nickname, “The Notorious,” fits a career built as much on words as on knockouts: McGregor’s trash talk, tailored suits and larger-than-life persona made him a crossover star who transcended mixed martial arts.
Inside the cage, McGregor’s weapon was his striking. A rangy southpaw with a precise left hand, he finished 19 of his 22 professional wins by knockout, and his 13-second knockout of José Aldo in December 2015 remains the fastest finish in a UFC title fight. Outside it, he built a business empire headlined by Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey, which made him the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2021 according to Forbes. As of 2026, he has not fought since July 2021, when he broke his leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier, but he remains the sport’s biggest name.
Early Life & Background
Conor Anthony McGregor was born on July 14, 1988, in Crumlin, a working-class suburb of Dublin, Ireland. He grew up playing football, and at the age of 12 he began training at the Crumlin Boxing Club, where he developed the hands that would later define his fighting style. As a teenager, his family moved to Lucan, and he began an apprenticeship as a plumber while training in mixed martial arts at the Straight Blast Gym in Dublin under coach John Kavanagh.
McGregor turned professional in 2008, fighting on small Irish shows for little money while living on social welfare payments. He met his long-time partner, Dee Devlin, in 2008, and she supported him through the leanest years of his career. By 2012, he had become the first European fighter to hold Cage Warriors titles in two weight divisions at the same time, winning the featherweight and lightweight championships, and the UFC came calling.
Career
McGregor made his UFC debut in April 2013, knocking out Marcus Brimage in 67 seconds in Stockholm. He quickly became the promotion’s most-watched fighter, and in July 2015 he stopped Chad Mendes to win the interim featherweight title. Five months later, at UFC 194, he knocked out the long-reigning champion José Aldo in just 13 seconds — the fastest title-fight finish in UFC history — to become undisputed featherweight champion.
After two dramatic fights with Nate Diaz in 2016, McGregor moved up to lightweight and, on November 12, 2016, at UFC 205 in New York, he stopped Eddie Alvarez to win the lightweight title. He became the first fighter in UFC history to hold championships in two weight classes simultaneously, an achievement he sealed with his famous line: “I’d like to take this chance to apologize… to absolutely nobody.”
McGregor then crossed over to boxing, facing the undefeated Floyd Mayweather on August 26, 2017, in one of the highest-grossing fights ever staged. He lost by 10th-round stoppage but earned a reported nine-figure payday. His return to the UFC, against Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in October 2018, became the best-selling pay-per-view in UFC history, with a reported 2.4 million buys; he lost by submission. He knocked out Donald Cerrone in 40 seconds in January 2020, then lost twice to Dustin Poirier in 2021, breaking his leg in the second of those fights.
Away from fighting, McGregor launched Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey in 2018, selling a majority stake to Proximo Spirits in 2021 in a deal reported to be worth up to $600 million. His commercial success made him Forbes’ highest-paid athlete in 2021. A scheduled UFC return against Michael Chandler in June 2024 was cancelled after McGregor suffered a toe injury, and in 2025 he publicly expressed interest in running for President of Ireland. His career has also been marked by legal trouble, including a 2019 assault conviction in Ireland and a 2024 Dublin civil jury finding against him in a case brought by Nikita Hand.
Facts About Conor McGregor
- McGregor’s 13-second knockout of José Aldo at UFC 194 in 2015 is the fastest finish in a UFC title fight.
- He was the first fighter in UFC history to hold world titles in two weight divisions at the same time.
- His 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather was one of the highest-grossing fights ever staged.
- McGregor was Forbes’ highest-paid athlete in 2021, earning a reported $180 million that year.
- He has headlined the five highest-selling pay-per-view events in UFC history.