CONOR McGREGOR has been at the centre of some of the most incredible moments inside – and outside – of the UFC octagon.
And the Irishman even upset plenty of boxing purists when he swapped fighting codes to face Floyd Mayweather in the ring three years ago.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor endured a bitter feudCredit: Getty – Contributor
McGregor has four times shattered the UFC’s pay-per-view record thanks to bitter and hyped pre-fight build ups.
And the former two-weight champion has proven value for money with great highs and devastating lows in the cage.
Here SunSport takes a look at the Irishman’s greatest rivalries and feuds.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Before Khabib and McGregor sold 2.4m PPV’s – the most in UFC history – the animosity had already reached boiling point.
McGregor got himself arrested in April 2018, six months before their fight, after attacking a bus which had Nurmagomedov inside.
When the lightweight title fight was announced, The Notorious wasted no time in attacking his rival, mocking his religion, family and entourage.
But McGregor was made to pay for his words, after tapping out in round four of their grudge match.
Soon after, a post-fight brawl between both teams erupted outside and inside the octagon.
It has fulled demand for a rematch, with McGregor and Khabib still eager to settle the score.
McGregor attacked a bus that had Khabib inside
Nate Diaz
McGregor was in line to challenge for the lightweight belt in March 2016, but Rafael dos Anjos pulled out with a foot injury.
It allowed Diaz to step in on 11 days’ notice with the fight moved to a welterweight headliner – and immediately the pair clashed.
The pre-fight build up was intense with back and forth verbals, but McGregor was silenced as he gassed out in round two and submitted.
He remained humble after his first UFC defeat but demanded a rematch, which he received five months later.
McGregor would enact revenge at UFC 202 in a five round thriller, setting up a trilogy and building silent respect between the two.
Both stars have since gone their separate ways, but the door is still open for the rubber match.
McGregor and Nate Diaz built a silent respect after their two fights Credit: Getty – Contributor
Floyd Mayweather
McGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to prepare for his lucrative pro boxing debut against Mayweather.
The UFC superstar was full of brash promises and predictions before the fight, which would see his odds of winning slashed to 4/1.
McGregor insisted that Mayweather was ‘too small’ and after the gloves were changed from 10oz to 8oz he said the unbeaten legend would only last two rounds.
In the end, the ring novice chalked up an early lead – as Mayweather toyed with him – but tired as the bout went on and would be stopped in round ten.
McGregor’s confidence seems not to have taken a dent, having repeatedly called for a rematch.
Before his last win, against Donald Cerrone in January, the southpaw returned to his first amateur boxing coaches and feels he now has the guidance to beat Mayweather.
McGregor was full of brash promises and predictions before being beaten by Floyd Mayweather Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Paulie Malignaggi
Before McGregor’s ‘money-fight’ with Mayweather, a now infamous sparring session with Malignaggi threatened to steal the headlines.
Malignaggi stormed out of the Dubliner’s camp after pictures and footage leaked – including a disputed knockdown of the retired boxer.
The pair even came to ahead during a press conference before Mayweather fought McGregor.
Two-weight world champion Malignaggi has on numerous times challenged McGregor and mocked his boxing ability in constant verbal attacks.
McGregor revealed in January he wanted to box again and Malignaggi was a potential opponent.
He told ESPN: “I’d like to box Paulie, why not? That’s a bit of buzz, Paulie in a boxing bout.”
Paulie Malignaggi and McGregor built a feud after their sparring sessions
Jose Aldo
McGregor was first scheduled to fight Aldo in July 2015 and the pair visited eight cities to promote the event.
Brazilian Aldo – unbeaten for ten years at the time – was subject to constant verbal and mental warfare by his outspoken challenger.
But the fight was delayed after the champion pulled out injured, with McGregor instead beating Chad Mendes for the interim title.
The featherweight unification was moved to December, allowing McGregor more time to get under Aldo’s skin.
It proved vital, as Aldo appeared tense before the bell sounded and was knocked out in 13 seconds having recklessly charged forward.
McGregor paid his respect to the legendary South American afterwards and even offered him a rematch, but The Notorious would instead go on to bigger and better things.
McGregor won the mental war against Jose Aldo befor KOing him in 13 secondsCredit: Corbis
Conor McGregor shares throwback footage landing punches in infamous Khabib brawl at UFC 229 and boasts ‘unlucky lads’
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
