Now one of Ireland’s most ‘infamous’ sports personalities, Conor McGregor has had a diverse career as a mixed martial artist, boxer and businessman.
Conor McGregor has certainly made a name for himself in the international sports world in recent years. However, we bet there’s a lot you didn’t know about the “infamous” MMA fighter. This may interest you : Meet Your Neighbor: Ernie Merrill of Arizona Lifestyle Home Remodeling. Here are ten facts about Conor McGregor you never knew.
The 33-year-old former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight and Lightweight Doubles Champion was born on July 14, 1988 in Crumlin, Dublin. To this day he is still proud to call the Emerald Isle his home.
10. First Irish man to join UFC – a big problem for Ireland
One of the facts about Conor McGregor that you may not know is that he was actually the first Irish man to join the UFC. To see also : Wrench Group Expands to Midwest through Partnership with Williams Comfort Air of Indianapolis, and Its Partner Brands in Louisville and Cincinnati.
Since signing with UFC in 2013, McGregor has become one of the biggest names in the sport, with UFC President Dana White even calling him his favorite fighter.
9. He is a trained plumber – live for fighting
Before starting his fighting career, McGregor trained as a plumber in Dublin. This may interest you : Britain’s Travis Perkins sells plumbing business for 325 mln stg. During his apprenticeship, he spent up to 12 hours a day repairing pipes and toilets.
Speaking with the Guardian, McGregor revealed: “I woke up at 5 a.m. and walked in the dark, freezing cold until I reached the freeway, waiting for a man I didn’t even know to take me to the location. I know there are passionate, skilled plumbers out there. But I had no love for plumbing.”
8. He is very spiritual – the law of attraction
Speaking about his spirituality, McGregor revealed that he strongly believes in the… Law of Attraction, calling it the “most powerful thing in the world”.
He describes this belief, saying, “It is the belief that you can create any situation you want for yourself, and that no one can take it from you. It is believing that something is already yours and then doing what you need to do to make it happen.”
7. A world first – the first non-American to win two world titles
McGregor was not only the first Irish man to join the UFC. He even holds the title of first non-American to win two world titles in two different weight divisions.
Before joining UFC, he won Cage Warriors featherweight and lightweight titles in back-to-back fights.
6. He was bullied growing up – conquer bullies
Growing up, McGregor was often the target of bullies on his way to and from school. Because of his size, bullies saw him as an easy target and he struggled with bullying from a young age.
Young McGregor was doing so badly that he stuffed a dumbbell in his school bag so he could reach inside and use it as a weapon.
Today, McGregor is an advocate for anti-bullying campaigns and will occasionally go to schools to talk about bullying.
5. Four Seconds Knockout – an impressive achievement
One of the facts about Conor McGregor that you never knew is that his record-breaking 13-second knockout of José Aldo for the UFC Featherweight Championship in 2015 isn’t quite his fastest knockout.
Instead, in April 2011, he defeated boxer Paddy Doherty by knockout in just four seconds at the Immortal Fighting Championships.
4. His parents disapproved of his career choice – hesitant at first
When McGregor started training at a local boxing club between work shifts and on weekends, it wasn’t long before he decided to retire from plumbing and take up boxing training full-time.
Initially, his parents disapproved of his career change. However, when he achieved success, they supported his choice.
3. Possible James Bond Villain – McGregor, Conor McGregor
In episode three of the infamous, McGregor revealed he was once asked to audition for the role of the villain in the 2015 James Bond film Ghost.
However, he turned down the role, saying, “I’m not that person. Do you know what I mean? I just do it smiling. Don’t start with those serious things.”
2. He relied on Social Security – not always one of the highest paid athletes
Before McGregor became one of the highest paid people in the sport, he had to rely on Social Security to help him follow his fighting dreams.
Despite some small wins early in his career, the MMA fighter was forced to take a $235 payout for his UFC debut. That night, during the ‘Knockout of the Night’ fight, when Marcus Brimage defeated him in the first round, he made an incredible $60,000.
Since then, many of his fights have earned him a salary with even more zeros.
1. The Sentimental Moment – his grandfather’s hat
Topping our list of facts about Conor McGregor that you never knew is that he often wore one of his grandfather’s old hats.
When asked about the moment, he said he didn’t see it as a lucky charm. Rather, it reminded him of where he came from and kept him sober.
Unfortunately, his bag with his grandfather’s hat was stolen from his car in 2014.
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