Conor McGregor is box office and one of the biggest sporting characters of the 21st century. Sure, he boasts immense talent in UFC and is a supreme fighter but it’s what he does outside of the cage which really catches the eye and keeps him shining brightly in the limelight of celebrity.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement is a blow but, for entertainment value, the sport still boasts its biggest, most important name in McGregor. Whether it’s a controversial statement or outlandish get-up, he is always the centre of attention.
Here are five times the Irishman has stunned the world with his antics.
Dress code? What dress code?
The Grand National is one of the biggest sporting events in the calendar and is a massive deal to Liverpool locals and visitors alike. Everyone gets dressed up, has a good time and enjoys the show.
McGregor was no different in 2017 although he didn’t exactly stick to the dress code, shall we say. Sauntering into the course with his eye-catching shirt wide open, the flip-up sunglasses did nothing to avert attention, nor did the Rolls Royce he arrived in. It was said to be a three-day party for McGregor, who enjoyed the festivities of Aintree before heading to a nightclub. We’d expect nothing less.
Supercar splurge
The UFC champion has amassed a fleet of stunning vehicles costing more than £2.5m. The Lamborghini Huracan Avio in green, the colour of Ireland, is said to be his pride and joy while his Rolls Royce Ghost and Phantom Drophead Coupe turn as many heads as McGregor shouting into a microphone at his latest showpiece press conference.
Having to choose between his BMWs, McLaren 650S and a Cadillac Escalade as well, must give him a right headache at the start of his day. It’s a hard life.
F*** YOU suit
This ensemble, which McGregor wore for his first Floyd Mayweather press conference in LA was a little more out there and made a totally different statement altogether. You may wonder what’s so outrageous about a pinstripe suit? Well, it simply repeated the sentiment ‘F*** You’. Charming.
He was the king of trash talk ahead of that seismic bout in the ring and his clothing backed him up every step of the way.
Putin’s Poison?
This is probably the most bonkers occurence of the lot. Meeting Vladimir Putin during the 2018 World Cup, McGregor claimed the Russian President tested the UFC star’s brand of whiskey, Proper Twelve, for poison, before daring to drink it. Security had to check it out first after McGregor offered it up as a gift to one of the most powerful men on the planet.
“They had to take the liquid from the bottle to make sure the liquid was safe and it was not maybe poisoned or what not and then it was gifted to Vladimir Putin,” he revealed.
Never change, Conor... Never change.
Battle Rap
McGregor might have taken on boxing great Mayweather in the ring but he soon turned his attention to one of the heavyweights of music.
Yep, the 32-year-old called 50 Cent “a bum” (brave of him) and had the audacity to claim he’s nothing compared to Jay-Z, lauding the latter and insisting on Instagram, "Someone tag 50cent in this for me. He blocked me on this, the mad 50 year old Instagram blocker. Ahh don't block me 50 kid, I still like some of your songs. The older ones hahaha. King bless you all!"
There’s nothing like taking on one of the most famous rappers on the planet if you want to get noticed.
