Conor McGregor explains how he got "The Notorious" fighter nickname, talks MMA return at UFC 329

Conor McGregor is often referred to by his sobriquet, "The Notorious." It's said to be one of his most popular nicknames. 

As such, certain sections of the combat sports community often speculate about how he got the nickname. Well, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion has now recounted its origin. 

Conor McGregor talks about the origin of his fighter nickname, "The Notorious"

Conor McGregor is all set to return to professional combat sports competition for the first time since July 2021. "Mystic Mac" has been training consistently under the guidance of his longtime coach, John Kavanagh of SBG Ireland, for his fight at UFC 329. 

The Irishman is currently in the United States of America, promoting his highly anticipated comeback to the UFC's famed octagon. 

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, McGregor was asked about how he got his nickname, "The Notorious." The 37-year-old responded by suggesting that the nickname was an organic amalgamation of multiple happenings. 

McGregor stated, "My fight name is 'Notorious.' It actually came because I had a habit of getting into trouble when I was younger, a little bit. And my coach had me saved in the phone as 'Trouble'... That was my name in his phone." 

Additionally, McGregor alluded to the entrance music he utilizes in most of his fights -- a combination of the Irish folk ballad "The Foggy Dew" (performed by The Chieftains and Sinead O'Connor) and hip-hop song "Hypnotize" (by legendary American rapper The Notorious B.I.G.). 

The MMA great explained, "Now, I was only a young guy. But it's just -- I was just notorious for it. That's it. And then it became that. I like Biggie as well. I like the music. And that was the walkout song. And it just kind of gelled together over the years. And it became 'The Notorious.'" 

Furthermore, McGregor, upon Fallon's request, even came up with a fighter nickname for the American talk show host. He referenced the host's penchant for singing and anointed him as Jimmy "The Slow Jammer" Fallon. 

 

Watch Conor McGregor discuss his fighter nickname and more below (*comments at the 1:50-minute mark of the video): 

Conor McGregor speaks about returning to his bread and butter, as he prepares to fight Max Holloway at UFC 329

Elsewhere during his conversation with Jimmy Fallon, Conor McGregor expressed his excitement about getting back to the fight game and putting on a show for the fans. 

The Dubliner said, "I'm born for this. I'm not born for anything else." He proceeded to underscore how he's partaken in various ventures over the years, including a prominent role in a Hollywood movie, but fighting is his "bread and butter" 

McGregor, who has two fights left on his current UFC contract, is booked to face Hawaii's Max Holloway, whom he'd outpointed in a featherweight matchup in 2013. Their rematch would be a welterweight showdown that'll headline UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11th.