Conor McGregor’s Parents and How They Almost Ended McGregor’s MMA Career Before He Became the Richest UFC Star of All Time

Conor McGregor, a father of four in a close-knit family, learned this trick from his parents. McGregor’s parents, Anthony (Tony) and Margaret, lived a simple life and provided the best for their children. The UFC fighter implemented the family values ​​taught by his parents and now lives a comfortable life.

McGregor is one of the biggest names in the combat sports industry. He came from humble beginnings to take the MMA world by storm. After making initial appearances in Cage Warriors, McGregor won the featherweight and lightweight titles in the promotion. If that wasn’t enough, he also accomplished the same feat in the UFC. A major achievement that will be talked about for years to come. However, his parents never believed it was possible.

Who are Conor McGregor’s parents Anthony and Margaret?

Tony McGregor was born to an Irish father and an English mother. He began his life in Liverpool, England, but when he was seven, his family separated and he was sent to live with relatives in Dublin.

Tony met his future wife, Margaret, at the age of 15. The story goes that they were going to school when their paths crossed and it was love at first sight. The pair found jobs at a local factory a year later and married in 1980, when he was 21. Connor’s older sister, Erin, was born in 1981, and Connor was born on July 14, 1988.

Where did Tony and Margaret live?

Tony and Margaret bought their first small house in the Dublin suburb of Crumlin. The couple was from the working class and had saved enough to provide a new home for their family.

It was here that Connor came in contact with football. He watched the English Premier League and supported Manchester United while playing for a local club. However, Connor’s interest peaked in combat sports. He joined a gym near his soccer club.

Connor was extremely focused on football, but when he was 15 years old, he experienced a life-changing moment. The family moved from Crumlin and settled in a place called Lucan on the far outskirts of Dublin. Connor felt isolated from his friends but claimed that the isolation helped build his career. He started kickboxing in Lucan and continued to explore the world of combat sports.

What did Conor McGregor’s parents want him to do for a living?

Due to his close family and traditional background, Conor followed what Irish culture dictated. According to Conor McGregor, education was of no use in his life. Although his mother had confidence in his intelligence, he did not want to receive an education. According to Irish culture, if you don’t get an education, you find a trade and start working.

Connor’s parents are working-class people, so eventually he too is asked to choose a trade. Although he wanted to continue training for a different career, he agreed to find a trade and chose plumbing. It is believed that if Connor had continued working in plumbing he would have been able to live a comfortable life. However, he was never fond of it.

“I haven’t seen anyone who is healthy in any way,” According to Bleacher Report, he said. “I saw that maybe if I moved away from plumbing I could train twice a day. I could really focus on my diet. It’s hard to focus on your diet or training when you’re on a construction site 10 or 12 hours a day.

The future UFC fighter continued to live an exhausting life. He worked long hours and continued training. However, there came a time when the Irishman had had enough. He wanted to leave everything.

Did Conor McGregor’s parents believe in his MMA dream?

Tony and Margaret didn’t stop Connor from dreaming. However, he asked them to proceed with caution and practicality. Conor was dreaming of doing something no Irish person had ever done.

Connor’s mother Margaret would get up early and take him to work. The UFC fighter revealed that no matter what decision he makes, his mother will support him. Tony, on the other hand, was extremely skeptical. When Connor tells him the details of his plan, which included giving up plumbing and training for a combat sports career, Tony and Connor get into an almost physical altercation.

“The first thing he said was, ‘Who else has done this? “What other Irishman has made a career of it?” Connor said. “And I couldn’t point to any other Irish person who had done it, because there was no one before me.”

Conor McGregor on succeeding in getting his parents back pic.twitter.com/fJ7zGIKoBF

– Warrior’s Beliefs (@warriorsbeliefs) 8 January 2023

At that time Connor had promised his parents that he would become a millionaire by the age of 25. He was a year younger but the Irishman became a millionaire. He became one of the richest men in MMA history.

In 2016, Connor bought five BMWs to give to each member of his family. His father was filled with joy as he told The Sun how Connor was in the first car with five other people behind him. They thought it was a fancy process but they were all bought in by Connor.

Conor McGregor’s parents are proud of the man he has become

The idea of ​​Conor taking up fighting as a career was never in Tony’s mind. However, he made his MMA debut in March 2008 at the age of 19 at Cage of Truth 2. He won the fight via second-round TKO. After five matches, Conor made his debut in Cage Warriors, but due to a loss he was unable to fight in the promotion again for almost a year.

After winning four fights in between, Conor returned to fight in Cage Warriors and continued his winning streak until becoming a two-division champion. During one of the Cage Warriors battles, his father realized that he had done it.

Conor McGregor in 2007:

• Working as a plumber
• Living with your parents
• Thousands of dollars in debt
• $235 welfare check cashing

But now, @TheNotoriousMMA Has earned over $600 million and is one of the highest paid athletes in the world.

This is his WILD story 👇 pic.twitter.com/pGxy4ihoCV

– Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) 31 May 2023

“I didn’t think it was something he could do as a career. That was only until I saw him in Cage Warriors. When his opponent was called, I saw this big, block house come out with music and lights. I looked at this guy and he was more mature in years than Connor, he might have been about 25, 26, or 27 years old. And I thought, ‘Oh boy, this is my son’s rival,'” Toney told BT Sport.

“And then they announced Connor and Connor came out to music and lights, and when he walked down that ramp, I didn’t see a boy, I saw a man. It always gets me – my boy grows up to be a man. I get this all the time. He got it right. It’s not often that a father will admit this. But, my son was right and his father was wrong. I knew then that he had a career.

Conor McGregor’s estimated net worth in 2024 is around $200 million. The net worth of Conor McGregor’s parents is unknown at this time.