The fantasy became a reality as Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor stood face-to-face in a memorable picture taken on July 12, 2017, by lauded combat photographer Esther Lin. The two fighters were at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto on the second stop of a world tour to promote their upcoming boxing match on Aug. 26, 2017.
McGregor, dressed to the nines in a royal blue suit, his arm outstretched in Mayweather’s face, beckoning him to bring it on. Mayweather, wearing black jeans, a black The Money Team T-shirt with a matching baseball cap—and perhaps millions in jewelry—pointing at his Irish opponent.
A sea of fans stretched beyond what Lin’s lens could capture. Plenty were there to see Mayweather, but many, if not more, were there to see McGregor. Irish flags and pro-McGregor signs were scattered throughout the crowd. While Mayweather had long been boxing’s biggest cash cow, the realization that McGregor wasn’t too far behind was crystallizing.
With a microphone exchange that matched Mayweather’s wit, McGregor emerged from Toronto as the crowd favorite. This event cemented McGregor’s status as a mainstream megastar and one of the biggest draws in combat sports. This wasn’t just a fight but a global event that captivated everyone’s imagination.
In the years leading up to and following that epic showdown, Conor McGregor’s trajectory was a spectacular rise followed by a catastrophic collapse. He became the first fighter in UFC history to hold championships in two weight classes at the same time with his victory over Eddie Alvarez in 2016. McGregor’s charisma, fighting prowess, and business acumen turned him into a global phenomenon. He was the king of the octagon, and his star power transcended the sport.
Conor McGregor (2020) 📸 pic.twitter.com/u7iNSipbgp
— Mcgregor Forever (@mcgregorufc22) June 25, 2024
The fight against Mayweather, despite being a loss, was a commercial triumph. McGregor walked away with a reported $100 million, and the event shattered pay-per-view records. However, the massive payday and global spotlight also marked the beginning of a shift in McGregor’s life and career.
Following his meteoric rise to fame and fortune, McGregor’s post-Mayweather years were beset by legal problems, public altercations, and unsatisfactory performances in the octagon. In 2018, he was involved in a highly publicized incident in which he threw a dolly through a bus window, injuring several fighters; this violent act resulted in legal ramifications and damaged his public image.
In 2019, McGregor was arrested for smashing a fan’s phone, raising further doubts about his previously impervious persona. Fans started to wonder if McGregor was losing his focus and discipline.
Despite these setbacks, McGregor attempted to regain his footing in the UFC. His return to the octagon in January 2020 saw a quick victory over Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, but subsequent losses to Dustin Poirier in 2021 highlighted a fighter struggling to reclaim his former dominance.
The injuries and defeats have raised questions about McGregor’s future in the sport. His passion and drive, once his most defining characteristics, seem dulled by the distractions of his extravagant lifestyle and the pressures of living up to his own myth.
As Conor McGregor stands at this crossroads, his legacy hangs in the balance. He remains one of the most influential figures in combat sports history, but his story is now a cautionary tale about the perils of fame and fortune. McGregor’s journey from a Dublin plumber to a global icon is the stuff of legends, but his fall from grace serves as a stark reminder of how quickly the world can turn on its heroes.
Only time will tell if McGregor can recapture the magic that made him a star or if his seven-year spiral will mark the final chapter in his storied career. For now, the world watches, captivated by the ongoing saga of a man who once seemed invincible.