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Conor McGregor is the UFC's biggest star. Without him, numerous milestones would still be in the realm of hypotheticals. The Irishman is the promotion's first-ever simultaneous two-division champion after his stunning masterclass against former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez.
Most importantly, however, 'The Notorious' helmed the highest-selling PPV in UFC history. The feud between him and undefeated anomaly Khabib Nurmagomedov led to one of the most venomous buildups to an MMA bout ever seen. Once the pair clashed, their fight sold 2.4 million PPV buys.
Thus, due to the unprecedented financial success he has brought to the promotion, the Irishman has earned certain perks from the UFC. This streak of preferential treatment has peaked in 2023, with the Irishman striving for a USADA exemption. With that in mind, this list looks at some moments of special treatment.
#5. Conor McGregor drove Dana White's Ferrari
As far back as 2013, Conor McGregor has been in the UFC's good graces. He specifically struck up a close friendship with the promotion's president, Dana White. So ahead of his matchup with future featherweight kingpin Max Holloway, 'The Notorious' headed to Las Vegas for a meeting with the UFC brass.
Apparently, the meeting went so well that he was given the special privilege of riding alongside Dana White in the latter's Ferrari down the Las Vegas strip. No other UFC fighter has had the privilege of doing so, as the future double champion even filmed the moment on his phone.
At the time, it was considered an enormous favor, but it was merely a sign of things to come as 'The Notorious' continued to enjoy privileges that no other fighter has.
#4. Conor McGregor experienced no consequences from the UFC for his infamous bus attack
Conor McGregor is famous for several things. Unfortunately, he has also become infamous for just as many things. The start of the Irishman's descent into legal madness was at UFC 223 Media Day. Prior to the event, Khabib Nurmagomedov confronted Artem Lobov over the latter's comments about him.
'The Eagle' surrounded him with his entourage and slapped him before uploading the video to the internet. Given Lobov's once close friendship with McGregor, the Irishman was incensed. He boarded a private jet with his own entourage and flew to New York to confront Nurmagomedov at the Barclays Center.
He intercepted the unbeaten Dagestani grappler while on the bus with several other fighters. McGregor and his entourage attacked the bus with numerous objects, including a metal handcart that shattered a window, cutting Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg with shards of glass.
While McGregor suffered legal consequences for the incident, the UFC didn't punish him in any way. Instead, they used footage of the incident as promotional material before rewarding him with a title fight. No other fighter would have been afforded that kind of treatment.
#3. The TUF scandal
Conor McGregor is finally returning to the octagon. This year, he will face three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler. Prior to their bout, the two engaged in filming for the 31st season of The Ultimate Fighter, where they will serve as the head coaches for two separate teams.
Unfortunately, the revelation was not without controversy. The former champion was accused by several roster mates of booting certain contestants in favor of granting his own teammates spots on TUF. Eventually, the accusations were brought to the attention of Dana White.
Instead of denying them, the UFC president confirmed the accusations and claimed that the two fighters who were removed from the show would be taken care of in some capacity and McGregor gets what he wants.
#2. Conor McGregor is allowed to hold two titles simultaneously
Before Conor McGregor, only one other fighter was given the privilege of potentially holding two belts simultaneously. UFC 94 was headlined by then reigning welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and then lightweight king B.J. Penn, who sought to capture the Canadian's divisional throne.
Unfortunately, 'The Prodigy' failed. Every other time a champion expressed an interest in changing weight classes to target a different title, they were instructed to vacate their existing title. Everything changed after Conor McGregor was allowed to challenge the lightweight champion while he was the featherweight king.
At the time, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. Fortunately, 'The Notorious' didn't squander his chances and defeated Eddie Alvarez in a title fight at UFC 205. Following his win, he opened the door for other fighters to eventually achieve double champ status.
#1. Facing Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a boxing match
Years ago, Anderson Silva repeatedly expressed an interest in facing legendary pugilist Roy Jones Jr. in a boxing match. At the time, 'The Spider' was the UFC's biggest star and the reigning middleweight champion at the helm of an unprecedented win streak that is yet to be eclipsed.
Unfortunately, his demands were turned down. Dana White has never been a fan of cross-promotion and has denied every UFC fighter the chance to pursue a boxing match. The only fighter he has ever granted that opportunity to was Conor McGregor. After the Irishman's win against Eddie Alvarez, the sky was the limit.
The MMA world was stunned after a boxing match between him and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was announced. It led to one of the biggest blockbuster bouts in combat sports history. Despite a strong start, Conor McGregor suffered a TKO loss in the 10th round.
