Home » UFC » Throwback: Conor McGregor made his UFC debut seven years ago and changed the world of MMA forever

Conor McGregor made his UFC debut years ago and the Notorious One was born

The UFC has had its fair share of stars over the years, but one man made it a completely different game, Conor McGregor.

The Irishman is now one of the most popular UFC stars in the world, and he might be one of the biggest sportsmen too, but a few years back he was just a fighter trying to make a name for himself.

Conor McGregor has won titles in two different division
Two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor of Ireland arrives for a press conference at Radio City Music Hall in New York (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

Conor McGregor was signed by the UFC in February 2013 and just a couple of months later, on 6 April 2013, the Irishman made his debut.

He was carrying a 12-2 record before moving to the UFC and beat Marcus Brimage in the first round itself on his UFC debut.

Setting up for the big move

Not many knew what McGregor was about to do but the Irishman shook up the UFC and the world of sport.

McGregor went on a seven-fight win streak and even lifted the Featherweight title by defeating Chad Mendes.

Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia holds down Conor McGregor of Ireland in their UFC lightweight championship  (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Irishman wasn’t done there as he also beat Jose Aldo at UFC 194 and unified the Featherweight championship.

That fight was the one that took McGregor to the next level. Aldo is a UFC legend and McGregor knocked him out in 13 seconds, yup, just 13.

That was his quickest win in UFC and the Irishman has just gone on from strength to strength.

Moving up to the next weight class

McGregor wasn’t done dominating the Featherweight division as he then moved to the Welterweight one.

It was his aim to become the first two-division champion in UFC but he won only one of his fights in the division.

Conor McGregor made his UFC debut in 2013
Conor McGregor poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The other one, he lost to Nate Diaz, but there was no stopping the Irishman. He then tried his luck in the Lightweight division by defeating Eddie Alvarez but he lost it to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229.

That was one of the low points for McGregor as he was also banned and fined for his role in the post-match brawl.

The Notorious One returns

That wasn’t going to stop the Irishman though. McGregor made his UFC return at 246 after more than a year and took on Donald Cerrone in a Welterweight bout.

This was vintage Conor as he beat the Cowboy in the first round after just 40 seconds. McGregor has stated that he wants to fight again soon, and it will be interesting to see what happens next.

McGregor isn’t just a showman in the Octagon, but he is one of the biggest artists off it. His trash-talking is legendary, though it sometimes backfires on him.

Conor McGregor is always looking for a big next fight
Conor McGregor reacts before taking on Donald Cerrone in their welterweight bout (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

McGregor has also several business ventures with Proper 12 Irish whiskey also sponsoring other events.

The 31-year-old has a 22-4 record and has fought Floyd Mayweather Jr in one of the biggest fights in boxing

The Irishman has had some lows and many highs but nothing beats his journey to the UFC. He had to take odd jobs in Ireland to sustain his family but he never gave up his dream.

McGregor’s journey has been going on for close to 20 years. The 31-year-old changed what an MMA fighter actually does in and out of the ring, and most around the world know about McGregor more than any other star.

The Irishman will go down as one of the greatest ever to grace the Octagon, and there is more to come from him.

More UFC news

Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates