5 UFC fighters who had unexpected jobs before making it in MMA

#3 Conor McGregor

UFC 229 Khabib v McGregor: Press Conference

'Notorious' Conor McGregor is undisputedly the most famous and controversial figure in the world of MMA. In his career, he has made history for all the right reasons (becoming the first simultaneous double Champion in two UFC weight classes) and made headlines for all the wrong reasons (his many transgressions with the law).

Often, McGregor has been considered to be one of the most successful mixed martial artists of all time. Those who argue his position in MMA cannot argue the amount of money he has made through the sport (and his one boxing fight) by which he is the richest MMA fighter in the world.

However, long before this, McGregor had rather humble origins in Ireland. He worked in kitchens and bathrooms in rural Ireland. When his family finally made the move to West Dublin, he took part in a plumbing apprenticeship. It is safe to say, knowing McGregor, that plumbing was not the future he wanted for himself. So, when he met Tom Egan, a future UFC fighter, the two became friends and he gained an immense interest in MMA.

He began training in martial arts and one day, he quit his plumbing job forever. Until he finally made his debut in UFC in 2013, McGregor was actually collecting welfare checks in Dublin.