Conor McGregor burst onto the UFC scene in 2013 and quickly established himself as one of the most captivating fighters the sport had ever seen. His brash personality, devastating striking skills, and undeniable charisma made him an instant star. Just four years into his UFC career, McGregor had already etched his name in the history books for his record-breaking accomplishments. So what makes Conor McGregor a certified UFC legend? Let’s take a look at Conor McGregor Stats: What Makes Him a UFC Legend.
Fastest Finish in a UFC Title Fight
At UFC 194 in 2015, McGregor challenged long-reigning featherweight champion Jose Aldo for the 145-pound belt. He shocked the world by knocking out Aldo in just 13 seconds with a perfectly-placed left hand punch. This still stands as the fastest finish ever in a UFC championship bout.
First Simultaneous Two-Division Champion
After capturing the featherweight title, McGregor set his sights on the lightweight division ruled by Eddie Alvarez. They met at UFC 205 in November 2016, where McGregor dominated Alvarez to win by second-round TKO. This made him the first fighter in UFC history to hold two championship belts at the same time.
Most Knockdowns Landed Per Minute
McGregor possesses devastating knockout power, especially in his left hand. His precision striking has produced a UFC record landing rate of 1.6 knockdowns per 15 minutes in the octagon. To put that into perspective, the average UFC fighter lands just 0.2 knockdowns per 15 minutes.
Highest Pay-Per-View Buy Rate
As his fame grew exponentially each time he stepped into the octagon, McGregor headlined four of the top six highest-selling UFC pay-per-view events ever, including a record 2.4 million PPV buys for his 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. UFC 229 against Khabib Nurmagomedov ranks #1 all-time at 2.4 million buys.
First Fighter to Hold Knockout Wins in Three Divisions
With his TKO victory over Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at welterweight in January 2020, McGregor became the first fighter in UFC history to own knockout wins at featherweight, lightweight and welterweight.
Most Performance of the Night Bonuses
Over his 22-fight UFC career so far, McGregor has earned a record 7 “Performance of the Night” bonuses for his spectacular knockouts and submissions, totaling $3.5 million in extra income.
Highest Paid Athlete in UFC History
Thanks to his superstardom and box office appeal, McGregor is far and away the highest paid fighter the UFC has ever seen. According to Forbes, he earned an estimated $235 million total between May 2020 and May 2021. This includes paychecks as well as endorsements and business ventures.
First Fighter to Headline 5 Consecutive PPV Main Events
McGregor’s popularity is so massive that the UFC essentially had to alter their pay-per-view model because of him. He became the first fighter to headline five straight PPV events over the course of 2015 to 2016 when he was at his peak.
Most Combined Post-Fight Bonus Awards
McGregor also holds the record for most post-fight bonuses when you combine “Performance of the Night” and “Fight of the Night” awards. He has raked in an astounding 13 bonuses for an extra $7 million in his UFC run.
In Conclusion
When you look at the sheer impact Conor McGregor has made on the sport of MMA and the UFC as a promotional juggernaut, his legend status cannot be denied. His combination of athletic brilliance, box office appeal, and trailblazing accomplishments cement his place as one of the most iconic fighters of all time. Records are made to be broken, but many of McGregor’s stats and achievements seem unbeatable. It may be a long time before we see another talent of his caliber in the UFC. I sincerely hope you find this “Conor McGregor Stats: What Makes Him a UFC Legend?” article helpful.
