Conor McGregor opens up about his lavish lifestyle and how grateful he is for everything as reflects on life on the dole.
The UFC fighter has gone from trainee plumber living in Dublin to champion fighter living in Las Vegas.
“Who has climbed to the pinnacle of the fight game like this? Nobody from Ireland. And to do it in the time I’ve done it, so quick? It’s mind-blowing,” he said.
Champion: Conor is one of the most famous UFC fighters | VIPIRELAND.COM
Speaking about being on the dole in 2013, before reaching worldwide glory, Conor told The Guardian:
“But I never forget the struggles. I never forget where I came from. I never ever forget the hard times. I pinch myself because I am surrounded by luxury. But make no mistake, it’s luxury built on sacrifice.”
The Crumlin native recently celebrated his girlfriends birthday in style but is grateful for his grass roots.
“I love what I do and I’m extremely grateful. This weekend has been very good. We got a nice suite overlooking the Strip, at the Cosmopolitan.
Love: Conor and Dee celebrated her birthday in Vegas | INSTAGRAM
“And we went shopping for 10 hours straight yesterday. I got us a limo and we stuffed it with shopping bags so it was a great day and then we had a great night,” he said.
Following school, a young McGregor set sail for a career as a plumber after his mother got him an apprenticeship, something he never wanted to pursue.
“My parents dragged me out of bed but I was unsure what I wanted to do. Then my mother found me this place in the plumbing industry,” he explained.
“It’s weird how society works. Rather than allowing you time to find the thing you love and can pursue with complete conviction, we’re told: ‘You must work no matter how much you dislike it.’ I just felt I was going to be the person I wanted to be, regardless of what anyone said,” he added.
Plumber: Conor was a trainee plumber before his career in UFC
The 27-year-old soon realised the long days and early mornings weren’t for him and he wasn’t long falling in love with the UFC and that’s when he decided to pack in the plumbing and follow his dream.
“When I got into combat sports it was to defend myself. I just started out with a love of learning how to fight, mastering defence and attack. Then the UFC came to Dublin and I saw the machine in full flow. I thought: ‘There’s a place I can make a good living’,” he revealed.
“So it started with a love for the sport and it’s been strengthened by a love for the money it brings,” he added.
Family: Conor’s mother in the cage after his win | INSTAGRAM
The heroic night in Las Vegas last month was an extra special one for Conor as his mother got to join him in the ring following one of his biggest wins to date.
“She had never been inside the Octagon and my coach, John Kavanagh, made sure she was there. Many years ago my mother rang John when I was drifting. John came to the house and got me back on track.
“That night he told my mother: ‘When Conor wins the world title I will bring you inside the Octagon’. That promise was fulfilled. My mother has done so much for me,” he said.
