Conor McGregor: Biography, UFC Career, Net Worth, Injury & Next Fight

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Conor McGregor is one of the most recognizable names in mixed martial arts and one of the most successful fighters in UFC history. The Irish superstar became the UFC’s first fighter to hold two championship belts simultaneously, won titles at featherweight and lightweight, and helped turn major MMA events into global spectacles.

After spending five years away from the Octagon, McGregor finally returned in July 2026 for a highly anticipated rematch with Max Holloway at UFC 329. However, the comeback lasted only 69 seconds after McGregor suffered a serious knee injury.

Now, the biggest questions surrounding Conor McGregor are his recovery, his next fight, and whether his UFC return will happen during International Fight Week in 2027.

Conor McGregor Quick Facts

The UFC’s official fighter profile lists McGregor at 22-7-0, with 19 knockout victories and one submission win.

Who Is Conor McGregor?

Conor McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist who rose from the regional European MMA scene to become one of the biggest stars in UFC history.

Born in Dublin in 1988, McGregor began training in combat sports as a teenager and eventually committed himself to professional MMA. Before entering the UFC, he became a champion in Cage Warriors, winning titles at both featherweight and lightweight.

His UFC debut came in April 2013 against Marcus Brimage. McGregor won the fight by first-round TKO and immediately began building a reputation for his striking, confidence and ability to promote fights.

The UFC describes McGregor as the first fighter to hold two UFC championships simultaneously and notes that he became the third fighter to win titles in two weight classes.

Conor McGregor Early Life and MMA Career

McGregor was born and raised in Crumlin, Dublin.

Before becoming a professional fighter, he worked as a plumber. He eventually left that career to pursue MMA full-time.

McGregor developed his striking under John Kavanagh at Straight Blast Gym Ireland. His early career was built around aggressive boxing, movement, timing and a powerful left hand.

His breakthrough came in Cage Warriors, where he won both the featherweight and lightweight championships.

Those performances attracted the attention of the UFC, leading to his debut in 2013.

Conor McGregor UFC Career

McGregor quickly became one of the UFC’s biggest attractions.

After winning his first four UFC fights, he challenged José Aldo for the undisputed featherweight championship at UFC 194 in December 2015.

McGregor knocked Aldo out in just 13 seconds.

That victory established McGregor as UFC featherweight champion and remains one of the fastest title-fight finishes in UFC history.

He then moved up to lightweight and faced Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in New York.

McGregor defeated Alvarez by second-round TKO to become the UFC lightweight champion.

With that victory, McGregor became the first fighter in UFC history to simultaneously hold championships in two weight divisions.

Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz

One of the most famous rivalries of McGregor’s career was his series with Nate Diaz.

The two first met at UFC 196 in March 2016. Diaz submitted McGregor in the second round.

Five months later, they fought again at UFC 202.

McGregor won the rematch by majority decision after five rounds.

The two fights became major commercial successes and helped establish McGregor as one of the biggest pay-per-view attractions in combat sports.

Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov

McGregor returned to lightweight championship competition in 2018 against undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229.

The fight became one of the biggest events in UFC history.

Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor by fourth-round submission.

The rivalry continued to dominate MMA headlines after the fight because of the intense build-up and the confrontation involving members of both teams following the bout.

Conor McGregor vs Donald Cerrone

McGregor returned to the Octagon in January 2020 against Donald Cerrone at UFC 246.

He won by first-round TKO after just 40 seconds.

It was McGregor’s first UFC victory since his 2016 win over Eddie Alvarez.

According to the UFC’s official record, McGregor stopped Cerrone with strikes at the 40-second mark of the first round.

Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier

McGregor fought Dustin Poirier twice in 2021.

At UFC 257, Poirier defeated McGregor by second-round TKO.

The two then met again at UFC 264 in July 2021.

Their trilogy fight ended when McGregor suffered a serious leg injury at the end of the first round and lost via doctor stoppage.

That injury kept McGregor away from MMA competition for nearly five years.

Conor McGregor Fight: UFC 329 Return

After five years away from the UFC, Conor McGregor returned to the Octagon on July 11, 2026.

His opponent was Max Holloway, an old rival whom McGregor had defeated by unanimous decision in 2013.

The rematch was the main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

However, the fight ended after only 69 seconds.

McGregor suffered a knee injury early in the first round, forcing referee Mike Beltran to stop the fight.

The UFC’s official record lists the result as a first-round TKO victory for Holloway via injury at 1:09.

For McGregor, the fight marked both his long-awaited UFC return and the latest setback in his career.

Conor McGregor Injury: What Happened?

The Conor McGregor injury from UFC 329 became the biggest story surrounding the fighter after the event.

Dana White later confirmed that McGregor suffered an ACL injury and needed knee surgery. White said McGregor would have to complete surgery and rehabilitation before the UFC could seriously discuss his next fight.

McGregor subsequently underwent surgery.

In September 2026, he was photographed using crutches while recovering from the procedure. Reports have identified the injury as involving the ACL and meniscus.

The injury is particularly significant because McGregor had already spent approximately five years away from competition following the leg injury suffered against Poirier in 2021.

Conor McGregor Next Fight

The question of the Conor McGregor next fight remains one of the biggest stories in MMA.

There is currently no officially announced opponent or UFC date for McGregor’s next fight.

McGregor has publicly indicated that he wants to return during International Fight Week 2027, referring to the potential appearance as his “Last Dance.”

However, that should be treated as McGregor’s stated target rather than a confirmed UFC booking.

Dana White has also said McGregor is out for an extended period while he recovers from the knee injury.

McGregor has one fight remaining on his current UFC contract, according to reports.

Who Could Conor McGregor Fight Next?

Several names have been discussed publicly, but none should currently be presented as an official matchup.

One notable possibility emerged in September when newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje mentioned McGregor as a potential title-defense opponent. Reuters reported that Gaethje floated the matchup while discussing possible options for his first defense.

A third fight with Max Holloway has also been discussed publicly, although no trilogy fight has been booked.

For now, McGregor’s recovery is the main factor determining what comes next.

Conor McGregor and BKFC

McGregor’s future is not limited to the UFC.

He is also connected to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and was announced as the host of BKFC’s World’s Baddest Man competition series, which is planned for FOX Nation in 2027.

Reports have also discussed McGregor’s interest in competing in bare-knuckle boxing once his UFC obligations are completed.

However, a BKFC fight for McGregor has not been officially announced.

His immediate priority remains recovering from his knee injury and determining when he can safely return to full training.

Conor McGregor Net Worth

Conor McGregor’s net worth is frequently searched because his income extends far beyond UFC fight purses.

Celebrity Net Worth estimated McGregor’s fortune at approximately $200 million in 2026, although celebrity wealth estimates are not audited financial statements and should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed figures.

McGregor’s wealth has come from several sources, including:

• UFC fight earnings
• Pay-per-view bonuses
• Sponsorships
• Business investments
• Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey
• His 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather
• Other commercial ventures

One of the biggest transactions in McGregor’s business career involved Proper No. Twelve.

According to Biography.com, McGregor’s sale of his remaining stake in the whiskey brand contributed substantially to his wealth, with Sportico reporting that he likely made at least $125 million from the transaction.

His 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather was another major financial milestone. Forbes estimated that McGregor ultimately earned around $85 million from the event.

Conor McGregor Record

According to the UFC, McGregor’s professional MMA record currently stands at:

22 wins, 7 losses, 0 draws.

His UFC profile lists:

• 19 wins by KO/TKO
• 1 win by submission
• 2 wins by decision
• 5 first-round finishes

The UFC also lists McGregor’s significant-strike accuracy at 49.5%, with 599 significant strikes landed from 1,210 attempts in its current statistics.

Conor McGregor Major UFC Wins

Some of the biggest victories of McGregor’s UFC career include:

José Aldo

UFC 194, December 2015

McGregor defeated Aldo by first-round knockout in 13 seconds to win the undisputed UFC featherweight championship.

Eddie Alvarez

UFC 205, November 2016

McGregor defeated Alvarez by second-round TKO to become UFC lightweight champion.

Nate Diaz

UFC 202, August 2016

McGregor defeated Diaz by majority decision in their five-round rematch.

Donald Cerrone

UFC 246, January 2020

McGregor defeated Cerrone by first-round TKO in 40 seconds.

Why Is Conor McGregor So Famous?

McGregor’s popularity comes from a combination of athletic success, personality, promotion and commercial appeal.

Inside the Octagon, his left-hand striking and counterattacking style produced some of the most memorable finishes of his generation.

Outside the cage, McGregor became known for his outspoken interviews, elaborate fight promotions and ability to generate enormous interest around his fights.

His victory over José Aldo, simultaneous UFC championships, rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov, fights with Nate Diaz and crossover boxing match with Floyd Mayweather all contributed to his global profile.

Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather

In 2017, McGregor crossed over from MMA into professional boxing to face undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather defeated McGregor by 10th-round TKO.

Despite the loss, the event became one of the most commercially significant combat-sports events of its era.

It also demonstrated McGregor’s ability to generate mainstream interest outside MMA.

What Is Next for Conor McGregor?

As of September 28, 2026, McGregor’s immediate future is centered on rehabilitation.

His UFC 329 comeback ended with a knee injury, he has undergone surgery, and his next official UFC opponent has not been announced.

McGregor has publicly pointed toward International Fight Week 2027, but there is currently no confirmed UFC fight date or opponent attached to that target.

That leaves several important questions open:

• When will McGregor return to full training?
• Will he fight again in the UFC?
• Who will be his final UFC opponent?
• Will he fight during International Fight Week 2027?
• Could he eventually compete under BKFC rules?

Until the UFC officially announces the next matchup, those questions remain unresolved.

Conor McGregor FAQ

How old is Conor McGregor?

Conor McGregor was born on July 14, 1988, making him 38 years old as of September 2026. The UFC lists his birthplace as Dublin, Ireland.

What is Conor McGregor’s UFC record?

McGregor’s current professional MMA record is 22-7-0. His UFC profile lists 19 knockout victories and one submission win.

When was Conor McGregor’s last fight?

McGregor’s most recent fight was against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026. The bout ended at 1:09 of the first round because of McGregor’s knee injury.

What happened to Conor McGregor’s knee?

McGregor suffered an ACL injury during his UFC 329 fight with Max Holloway. Dana White confirmed that McGregor required knee surgery, and McGregor subsequently underwent the procedure.

When is Conor McGregor’s next fight?

There is currently no officially announced date or opponent for McGregor’s next UFC fight. McGregor has indicated that he is targeting International Fight Week 2027 for his return.

Who will Conor McGregor fight next?

No opponent has been officially confirmed. Justin Gaethje has publicly mentioned McGregor as a possible future opponent, while other names have also been discussed.

What is Conor McGregor’s net worth?

Celebrity Net Worth estimated McGregor’s fortune at approximately $200 million in 2026. Such figures are estimates rather than audited financial statements.

Did Conor McGregor win two UFC titles?

Yes. McGregor won the UFC featherweight championship and later the UFC lightweight championship. He became the first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously.

Did Conor McGregor fight Floyd Mayweather?

Yes. McGregor fought Floyd Mayweather in a professional boxing match in August 2017. Mayweather won by 10th-round TKO.

Final Thoughts

Conor McGregor remains one of the most recognizable figures in MMA, but his career is currently at another crossroads.

His 2026 return against Max Holloway ended after only 69 seconds because of a serious knee injury. Following surgery and rehabilitation, McGregor is now looking toward a potential return in 2027.

His own comments have pointed toward International Fight Week 2027, but there is no officially confirmed opponent or UFC date yet.

For fans searching for Conor McGregor, Conor McGregor fight, Conor McGregor next fight, Conor McGregor injury, or Conor McGregor net worth, the situation is still developing.

The next major update will likely come when McGregor’s rehabilitation progresses and the UFC provides an official timeline for his return.