Why is Conor McGregor So Famous? | Explained

by Martial Arts Insider May 26, 2022

Hate him or love him, Conor McGregor is the most recognizable figure in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

In this page, we will cover McGregor's journey to stardom, and explain why Conor McGregor is so famous.

Why is Conor McGregor So Famous?

Despite being a double champion in the Cage Warriors organization, McGregor did not become famous until his UFC run.

McGregor was extremely charismatic on the microphone, and would have massive success fighting inside of the octagon, as he would knock out almost all of his opponents on his way to becoming champion.

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Conor McGregor was a trailblazer in the UFC, but it didn't happen overnight.

McGregor Signs With the UFC

During Dana White's first dinner with McGregor, he would say:

I went to dinner when we first signed him, he flew out here to Vegas and he and I went to dinner. It was my first real interaction with him. When I left that dinner, I called my partner Lorenzo [Fertitta] and said ‘Let me tell you what, I don’t know if this kid can fight or not. But if he can even throw a punch, he’s going to be a massive superstar.

McGregor wouldn't disappoint as he would knock out his opponent Marcus Brimage in the first round.

McGregor would then rack up 5 straight wins, 4 of them coming by way of TKO, including a win against Dustin Poirier, earning a fight for the Featherweight belt against Jose Aldo.

Birth of Mystic Mac

After his TKO against Poirier, McGregor's charisma would shine as he would say:

I said I'd knock him out in the first round, and I knocked him out in the first round. You can call me Mystic Mac because I predict these things.

However, Aldo would pull out due to a rib injury, and McGregor would face Chad Mendes for the Interim Featheweight championship.

McGregor would survive several takedowns and vicious ground and pound from Mendes, to come back and TKO Mendes in the second round.

McGregor's Trash Talk & Mental Warfare

As impressive as McGregor's performance was inside of the octagon, perhaps nothing was more impressive than his trash talking against his opponents, especially Jose Aldo.

Aldo and McGregor would go on a world-tour promoting their fight, and McGregor would antagonize Aldo at every turn.

No matter how big or how small, McGregor was ready to 'poke the bear', as he would:

Curse at Aldo in his own language of Portuguese
Take Aldo's belt during a press conference
Wear Aldo's belt in the room next to Aldo
Tell Aldo that he smells fear in him, a 'Beautiful Aroma that arouses me'
Sit behind him during a TV show, talk to him and touch his shoulder
Tells the translator to let Aldo know that "I'm his daddy"

Double Champion to Mayweather

McGregor would defeat Aldo in a mere 13 seconds and fight Nate Diaz twice before moving up to challenge for the Lightweight belt.

He would put on one of the most masterful championship performances, easily countering Alvarez with precise shots, while stuffing his takedowns.

McGregor would become the first 'Double Champ' in the UFC, holding two belts at the same time.

At the UFC 205 press conference, McGregor would be asked what is next for him.

He would go on to say:

“I’m looking around, I don’t know what anyone else has for me around here.“I might have to jump up and f**kin’ drag Floyd Mayweather out of bed and see what the f**k he’s at.”

Fight vs Floyd

That planted the seed to the Mayweather fight and against every obstacle, the UFC and Mayweather promotions were able to strike a deal.

McGregor and Mayweather would have some of the most epic press conferences, as they went on their own world tour to promote their fight.

McGregor would lose the fight via TKO, but his net worth would quadruple as he would earn $100 million dollars for his fight.

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Birth of Proper 12

He would then use his earnings to launch his own Whiskey label known as Proper 12.

Proper 12 would surge in popularity and McGregor would land on the list of the world's 10 highest-earning athletes, having made $180 million in 2020.

Out of the $180 million earned, only $22 million was made from fighting that year.

As popular as McGregor already was, having his own Whiskey propelled him even higher in terms of popularity and net-worth.