Ever since his 13-second KO of featherweight champion Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor has been the face of UFC – for better and worse.
High points include his two memorable fights with Nate Diaz at welterweight – losing the first before gaining revenge in a brutal rematch – and capturing the lightweight title from Eddie Alvarez to become the first two-weight champion in the organisation's history.
Yet McGregor never defended either belt, and was eventually stripped of both due to inactivity.
This inactivity was largely due to his decision to abandon the Octagon and fight Floyd Mayweather in one of the most lucrative boxing matches in history.
McGregor lost the fight comfortably but one look at his cheque probably offered ample consolation. At this point he was arguably bigger than the organisation that created him: a bonafide sporting superstar.
However controversies swiftly followed: first McGregor attacked a referee at at Bellator event, drawing widespread criticism; then earlier this year he received five days of community service after hurling a bin at a bus carrying UFC rival Nurmagomedov.
Happily for fight fans everywhere, the pair will shortly resolve their differences in the Octagon: the place where McGregor truly belongs.
As well as considerable fighting prowess, McGregor has become an megastar due to an oversized personality and striking sense of style.
In honour of the latter, we've compiled a list of McGregor's ten best looks: outfits that only the Irishman could have pulled off.
It's good to have him back.
Conor McGregor Ten best looks
The Cream and Green
27 September, 2014
Even back in 2014, the man was a sartorial powerhouse. This Gatsby-esque cream suit was something of a departure for McGregor, who tends to favour blue or grey threads (and mink coats). The light blue shirt and green tie work very well, adding to the image of someone about to step onto a yacht rather than into the Octagon.
(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The Sparkling Jacket
2 December, 2015
Appearing on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ on December 2015, McGregor put a typical twist on ‘smart casual’ with a sparkling David August jacket and low-top trainers. Well, when you’re debuting on one of America’s biggest chat shows, you need to make a statement. It’s the type of garment that requires an equally flashy personality to pull off.
(Photo by RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
The 'El Chapo' Shirt
20 January, 2016
For his press conference for his (ultimately aborted) fight with Rafael dos Anjos, McGregor wore a Versace shirt nearly as colourful as his personality. However there was an added dimension: the shirt deliberately evoked a similar garment worn by notorious drug lord ‘El Chapo’ when meeting actor Sean Penn. Deliberately provocative, very McGregor.
(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The Green Polo
January 22, 2016
Even McGregor must dress casually some of the time. For this stroll around Los Angeles he demonstrates the virtue of simplicity: green polo shirt (evoking his Irish heritage) tucked into cream trousers to do a lot with a little. McGregor being McGregor, he adds a touch of bling with a pair of snakeskin moccasins.
(Photo by Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
The Grey Check
March 5, 2016
Despite his love for of flamboyance, McGregor also favours more traditional attire. This grey check two piece is a classic example: the Irishman looks more country squire than instrument of violence. Again, he opts for a pink shirt, a classic pairing with a light grey fabric. The giant wristwatch doesn’t do any harm either.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The Frazier Mink
10 November, 2016
Challenger McGregor rocked a Gucci mink coat to the press conference with UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. With their fight taking place at Madison Square Garden, McGregor’s pairing of the coat with the red polo neck appeared to homage a similar outfit worn by boxing legend Joe Frazier – whose victory over Muhammad Ali in the Fight of the Century took place at MSG. McGregor beat Alvarez too.
(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The 'Fuck You' Suit
July 11, 2017
McGregor’s most notorious attire is probably the suit he wore to the first press conference with Floyd Mayweather. The custom three-piece was made by tailoring label David August and the fighter looks fantastic in it, especially with the pink tie and lapel flower. The pinstripes? They repeatedly spell out ‘Fuck You’.
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The 'Polar Bear' Coat
July 13, 2017
How to top the 'Fuck You' suit? By pairing a Gucci fur coat with floral trousers and displaying your tattooed torso to the world. McGregor claimed the coat was made from polar bear fur, although hasn’t been verified; regardless, it’s a striking outfit that embodies McGregor’s bold and abrasive personality – as well as his love of mammon.
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The Versace Robe
11 August, 2017
Even when preparing for battle, you can still rock a killer garment. McGregor’s gymwear is more stylish than most people’s Sunday best. Of course it helps to have Donatella Versace design you a bespoke gown to wear to the media workout for the biggest fight of the century. But you still need the looks to pull it off.
(Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The Two Belts
13 November, 2016
Two championship belts and an Irish flag? That's surely the best look of all...
(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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