Conor McGregor, one of the most popular and successful mixed martial artists in the world, is known by many names - Mystic Mac, The King, The Champ Champ - but perhaps the most infamous of them all is 'The Notorious.'
The story of how McGregor became 'The Notorious' goes back to his early days as a fighter. McGregor was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and began boxing at the age of 12. As a young man, he was drawn to the rough-and-tumble world of street fighting, where he quickly gained a reputation for his aggressive style and fearless attitude.
When Conor McGregor eventually transitioned to MMA, he brought that same aggressive energy to him. He quickly made a name for himself on the Irish MMA circuit, winning his first professional fight in 2008. Over the next few years, he continued to dominate his opponents, racking up an impressive record and earning the respect of his fellow fighters.
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But it wasn't until 2013 that McGregor truly became 'The Notorious.' That year, he signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the premier MMA organization in the world. McGregor made his UFC debut in April of that year, and he wasted no time in making an impact. In his first fight, he knocked out Marcus Brimage in just 67 seconds, setting a new UFC record for the fastest debut victory.
Check out the former double champ's impressive UFC debut below:
From there, Conor McGregor's star continued to rise. He won his next four fights, including a stunning first-round knockout of Diego Brandao in front of a raucous crowd in Dublin. With each victory, his profile grew larger, and his brash, outspoken personality made him a magnet for media attention.
The two Notorious fighters: Conor McGregor and Nick Newell
It is indeed interesting to note that besides Conor McGregor, there is another mixed martial artist who goes by the name 'Notorious'. Nick Newell is an American lightweight division fighter who has made a name for himself despite missing one of his hands.
Newell's MMA career has been nothing short of remarkable, and his moniker 'Notorious' is well-earned. He has overcome incredible odds and has proven himself to be a fierce competitor. Despite his physical disability, Newell has amassed an impressive record in the sport, with 16 wins and only 4 losses.
But Newell's success goes beyond just his fighting skills. The 36-year-old is also a role model and an inspiration to others. He has used his platform as a fighter to raise awareness about disability issues and to encourage others to pursue their dreams, no matter what challenges they may face.