McGregor’s controversial persona has been fueled in part by his unpredictable behavior and his public “retirements.” In 2016, McGregor retired from MMA, claiming he was stepping away from the sport due to frustration with the UFC and the organization’s demands. However, this so-called retirement was short-lived, with McGregor returning to the sport in 2018 to face Khabib Nurmagomedov in one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history. McGregor's back-and-forth with retirement has often seemed like an act to maintain public interest, leading many to question his sincerity and whether he was simply playing the media for publicity.

While Conor McGregor’s controversies are far from over, it’s clear that his behavior has forever altered the landscape of MMA and sports entertainment. His bad-boy persona has propelled him to incredible heights, but it has also left a trail of legal and personal problems in its wake. Despite these controversies, McGregor has remained one of the sport's biggest draws, with his ability to sell pay-per-views and attract global attention unmatched by any other fighter. Whether McGregor will ever truly change his behavior is uncertain, but one thing is clear: his legacy will always be intertwined with his explosive personality, his polarizing actions, and his remarkable ability to make headlines—whether for his talent or his transgressions.