Top 10 Conor McGregor Moments – Outside the Octagon

He’s the self-proclaimed King of Dublin, but you may know him best as “Mystic Mac.” Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Conor McGregor Moments – Out of the Ring. For this list, we’re focusing on the best Conor McGregor moments from outside the octagon and ring ONLY, so his best post-fight remarks didn’t make the cut.

#10: That Suit

At first, a “Mystic Mac” vs. “Money Mayweather” boxing match seemed unlikely. But both camps reached an agreement in June 2017, with the two fighters guaranteed huge paychecks. Leading up to the fight, McGregor and Mayweather held press conferences in four major cities to ensure hype for the fight was high. During the LA stop, Mystic Mac walked onstage wearing a one-of-a-kind suit: from afar, it just looks like pinstripes. But those pinstripes are made from words, and those words are a pretty obscene way of saying you hate someone. Though Conor eventually lost to Mayweather in 10 rounds, this is still a classic example of just how brash and controversial he is.

#9: Going for a Walk

Every great professional fighter needs a trademark move. For Conor, an act of imitation would evolve into much more. At UFC 202, McGregor borrowed a popular move from WWE mogul Vince McMahon, who the Mystic Mac admitted he admires for his long-term business success. Still, Conor has made it more than clear that he’s taken ownership of the strut, with his own flamboyant interpretation. While it may not be an original, his take on it has become trendy within pop culture, as other professional athletes and celebrities have adopted McGregor’s signature move.

#8: You’ll Do Nothing

After a shocking loss against Nate Diaz at UFC 196, Conor got a well-deserved rematch for UFC 202. The initial press conference went down as one of the more memorable pre-fight events, but it was Conor’s final words and actions that made headlines. Diaz taunted McGregor from across the room, leading the Irishman to fire back with some choice words of his own. Conor not only told Diaz to get lost, but he actually began throwing bottles, which ultimately earned him a $25,000 fine. All in all, this moment is proof that Mystic Mac plays by his own rules.

#7: Conor Fights Conan

Over a year before his big fight with Money Mayweather, Conor squared off against a popular late night host with Irish blood himself. There may be a significant size difference between the two, but luckily for Conan O’Brien, it was only an exhibition match. Conor nearly landed one of his famous capoeira sidekicks, which Conan managed to evade, probably thanks to one or two pre-show rehearsals. Though he was already a legit UFC star, this moment would help Conor further enhance his personal brand while also showcasing his impressive technique.

#6: Who the F Is That Guy?

In his last octagon bout before taking on Mayweather, Conor fought Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205. During a pre-fight conference, a reporter asked McGregor who would give him the most trouble. Before Mystic Mac could even answer the question, Jeremy Stephens interrupted to make a case for himself, which did not impress the champ whatsoever. For Conor, the name “Jeremy Stephens” doesn’t have the same clout as “Conor McGregor,” even hinting at a potential fight with Floyd Mayweather, approximately nine months before it was made official. On this day, McGregor made it clear that he’s in a class all his own.

#5: I Love You Like My B*TCH

While promoting UFC 194, Conor showed us why he’s one of the best smack talkers in professional sports. At first, he continuously insulted José Aldo – whom he’d ultimately knock out in 13 seconds. But the most verbal damage came when McGregor referenced Aldo’s second fight against Chad Mendes at UFC 179. Conor patronized José; even suggesting that he was flat-out worried about Aldo’s physical well-being. He wasn’t, of course, and McGregor made that clear with a scathing comparison. In the UFC, this type of mental warfare is huge for promotion, and Conor is always on point with his comedic timing.

#4: Gods Recognize Gods

Conor was originally scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 197, but the Brazilian ultimately dropped out after breaking his leg during training. During the pre-fight conference, McGregor verbally destroyed his would-be opponent, consistently making fun of dos Anjos while bragging about his own legacy. Where Rafael was quiet and reserved, Conor was loud and boisterous, even comparing himself to a God. This is one of his most iconic boasts, and it seems to make sense, as Mystic Mac continues to defy the odds year after year.

#3: Throwing Money with Money Mayweather

While promoting his 2017 “Money Fight,” Conor made a stop in Brooklyn, New York. Throughout his career, Floyd Mayweather typically dominated these kinds of promotional events, and he tried to show McGregor up here by showering him with money. But Conor is no scrub, and he didn’t seem too impressed. With his shades on and a robe around his neck, Mystic Mac made a keen observation about the flurry of cash. It was a brief moment, but still a perfect example of how McGregor can turn any situation in his favor with only a few, razor-sharp words.

#2: Red Panty Night

At the “Go Big” press conference for UFC 197, Conor reminded Rafael dos Anjos ­– and everyone else in the room – about his own superstar status. Dos Anjos, who missed out on UFC 196 due to injury, tried to interrupt McGregor, but this moment belonged entirely to Mystic Mac. Conor went on about how he thought he could make Dos Anjos rich, and then went on to present a descriptive scenario involving the Brazilian’s wife. Dana White seemed to appreciate the comedy, and when nobody else spoke up, Conor delivered the line one more time like only he could.

#1: “I Would Invade His Favela on Horseback…”

Back in 2015, Conor was a top UFC contender, while José Aldo was the Featherweight champ. Due to a rib injury, the Brazilian would ultimately drop out of UFC 189; however, he wouldn’t bow out before an eventful pre-fight press conference that featured a memorable Mystic Mac moment. On this day, McGregor was on his opponent’s home turf. Regardless, he didn’t hold back with his insults, essentially making him the UFC’s number one villain. On the tour’s last stop back in his native Dublin, McGregor provided an exclamation point to the whole thing by making a bold proclamation and even stealing Aldo’s belt. Classic Conor.