5 Things you need to know about Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather is one of the most hotly anticipated boxing matches of our generation. What will happen when the MMA megastar takes on the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match? We’re all waiting to find out.

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5: He used to be bullied

With Conor McGregor being one of the most famous names in mixed martial arts history, it’s hard to believe that Conor was bullied in school as a kid. In fact, Conor starting his training was a result of him getting bullied in school. He was put in situations where he felt the need to defend himself.

He has spoken about a time when he was a kid, where he used to carry a barbell in his school bag to protect himself in case he needed to. Conor has said that while learning to protect himself, he realized that he was actually good at what he was doing and that led him to pursue a career as a professional fighter.

Check out this video of Conor McGregor breaking up a fight in a park.

4: His job before MMA and his dream job

Conor McGregor is a lifelong Manchester United fan

Before pursuing a career in MMA, Conor McGregor was a plumber. Following in his dad's footsteps, Conor soon realized he was never really meant for the plumbing world. He said this to the Guardian in 2015:

“It just wasn't for me. I was waking at 5am and walking in the dark, freezing cold until I reached the motorway and waited for a guy I didn't even know to take me to the site, where I worked for 12 hours and then got driven back and walked home. I know there are passionate, skilled plumbers. But I had no love for plumbing."

Coming to what Conor’s dream was as a kid, it was to become a professional football player. A hardcore Manchester United fan all his life, he even played in his teen years until he diverted towards boxing training.

3: He almost missed his first UFC fight

Marcus Brimage got knocked out in 67 seconds

Conor McGregor wasn’t always the global icon that he is today. In fact, before bursting into superstardom, Conor was on welfare and almost missed his first ever UFC fight.

Conor was set to face Marcus Brimage in Stockholm, Sweden. The day he was supposed to fly out to Norway, McGregor almost missed his flight because he got late collecting his £165 welfare cheque from the Irish Government.

After knocking Marcus Brimage out in 67 seconds, it was the last welfare cheque he ever needed to collect.

2: The hat he always used to carry with him

If you’ve followed Conor McGregor’s career really closely, you’ll know that the ‘Notorious’ one used to carry a hat in his gym bag. The hat belonged to McGregor’s grandfather and he used to carry it everywhere he went.

Conor has said that he carried that hat to remind him of who he was and where he came from. McGregor doesn’t believe in superstitions and stressed that carrying the hat was not superstition, just a reminder.

Sadly, the hat has since been stolen.

1: Pre-fight habits

If you follow professional sport, especially football, you’ll know that some coaches often keep players away from their spouses before big matches because they believe that sex before a match could affect a player’s performance.

McGregor however, doesn’t believe in that theory. Speaking to Conan O’ Brian, he said:

“That is most certainly a superstition that I do not abide by. I definitely have as much sex as possible.”