Conor McGregor nickname, explained: The story behind 'The Notorious' and how it started

Conor McGregor nickname, explained: The story behind 'The Notorious' and how it started originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

If nothing else throughout his career, Conor McGregor has earned a reputation for his bold, polarizing personality.

On top of being a UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, becoming the first fighter to hold UFC championships in two weight classes simultaneously, McGregor has grabbed headlines in his career for other reasons, from legal troubles to callouts of other fighters.

"The Notorious," then, only seems like a fitting nickname — but how did McGregor initially earn his famed moniker?

Here's what to know about McGregor's "Notorious" nickname.

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What is Conor McGregor's nickname?

McGregor has long been referred to as "The Notorious."

It's been a part of his fighter persona, which has been centered around trash talk and getting in his opponents' heads.

THE NOTORIOUS

[ #UFC329 LIVE JULY 11 at 9pmET on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/7V0zHrWGDj

— UFC (@ufc) July 8, 2026

Why is Conor McGregor called 'The Notorious'?

McGregor recently said on "The Tonight Show" that his nickname originated from his youth, as he had a "habit of getting into trouble."

“It actually came because I had a habit of getting into trouble when I was younger a little bit and my coach had me saved in the phone as ‘Trouble,’ actually,” McGregor said. “Now, I was only a young guy, but you know, I was just notorious for it. That’s it.”

"The Notorious" is also a nod to hip-hop legend The Notorious B.I.G., McGregor added.

“I like Biggie as well, I like the music, and that was the walkout song and it just kind of gelled together over the years and it became the Notorious,” McGregor said.

Over time, as McGregor became involved in plenty of controversies, including legal troubles, "The Notorious" nickname only stuck more.