Conor McGregor has opened up about his humble beginnings, during an interview with Jimmy Fallon.
The UFC star has been over in the US for the past month, and celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by leading a parade in Chicago.
On the day after Paddy’s Day, the Crumlin native joined Jimmy at an Irish pub in NYC, and their interview aired last night on NBC.
The pair sipped on Conor’s Proper 12 Irish whiskey, as he opened up about life before becoming a millionaire.
The 30-year-old told Jimmy that he worked as a plumber’s apprentice six years ago, before he broke into the UFC.
And funnily enough, Conor revealed that he was on the “plumber’s float” during the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago – and said he felt like he had come “full circle”.
While speaking to Jimmy, Conor also admitted that he doesn’t “need” to fight anymore, just days before announcing his retirement on Twitter.
During his interview, which was filmed last week, the Crumlin native was asked when his next fight would be.
Conor said: “We’re in talks for July. We’ll see what happens, there’s a lot of politics going on. The fight game is a mad game. But to my fans, I am in shape and I am ready. So let’s see what happens.”
When asked who he could be fighting, the 30-year-old replied: “There are many opponents. In reality, I can pick who I please. You know, I’ve done a lot, I’ve fought a lot, I’ve never pulled out of contests.”
“I’ve gone through some crazy injuries and crazy external situations that many a man would sprint for the hills if it happened to them. But I stood firm, done my piece for the company.”
He explained: “So I am in a position, this whiskey is my baby, I have a lot of great entities, I don’t necessarily need to fight – I am set for life, my family is set for life, we are good. But I am eager to fight, so we’ll see what happens, I’m just staying ready.”
Conor made those comments just days before he tweeted: “Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as ‘Mixed Martial Art’ today.”
“I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition. I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement. Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!”
While many fans didn’t believe Conor’s announcement, UFC boss Dana White said retirement made sense for the young dad-of-two.
Hey guys quick announcement, I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as “Mixed Martial Art” today.
I wish all my old colleagues well going forward in competition.
I now join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement.
Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 26, 2019
“He has the money to retire, and his whiskey is killin’ it,” he said in a statement. “It totally makes sense. If I was him, I would retire too. He’s retiring from fighting, not from working.”
“The whiskey will keep him busy, and I’m sure he has other things he’s working on. He has been so fun to watch.
“He has accomplished incredible things in this sport. I am so happy for him, and I look forward to seeing him be as successful outside of the octagon as he was in it.”
