Conor McGregor, close to returning to the UFC, reflects on his legal troubles: "Fame has its pitfalls."

Conor McGregor on the way to the High Court in Dublin, Ireland. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter

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Few fighters have managed to amass as many moments of success inside the octagon and controversies outside of it as [Brazil's fighter]. Conor McGregorThe most popular name in MMA history, the Irishman is preparing to return to competition in a duel against... Max Holloway by the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg), after going through five years of inactivity and getting involved in several problems with the law. Determined to stop occupying the crime and gossip pages, the athlete spoke about the psychological support he has been receiving during an interview with Paramount last Wednesday (24).

According to the fighter, the passing years have brought him maturity and several changes in his worldview. In this context, returning to the biggest stage in the sport has triggered old issues, which he has been trying to avoid as much as possible.

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“Fame has its pitfalls. You have to tread carefully in this world, for sure—and probably even more so now. I've learned many lessons in life, and it all comes down to self-knowledge. Studying yourself. Knowing yourself. Identifying triggers. Even today, I find myself fighting a battle between an old version of myself—or old habits that no longer serve me—and new ways of acting and a new version of myself, the 'new me'; so, I'm still seeking that balance. I went through treatment and did a lot of self-reflection. Internal work, done outside of this bubble we find ourselves in now, returning to the world of fighting,” she stated.

McGregor at the UFC weigh-in. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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“Returning immediately to this sport, to the cameras, and even to all of this now, I realized I was reverting to an old version of myself. I had to reflect again and tell myself, ‘I’m different now. I’m another person. I worked hard.’ It’s easy to fall back into old habits. You have to be careful,” he concluded.

McGregor was convicted of rape in late 2024.

EXPLAINED: Nikita Hand has been awarded the costs of her civil action against MMA star Conor McGregor after winning her civil rape case last month. She will also not have to pay James Lawrence's costs, despite losing her claim against him.#VMNews | @nicole_gernon pic.twitter.com/tZi4IL5P3Y

— Virgin Media News (@VirginMediaNews) December 5, 2024

Despite being involved in several scandals over the years, most notably assaults such as the attack on the UFC bus during UFC 223 week, undoubtedly the most striking case involving... Conor McGregor It happened in November 2024. At the time, the fighter was convicted in a civil suit for the crimes of rape and sexual assault against a woman named Nikita Hand, which allegedly occurred in a Dublin hotel in late 2018.

Because it was a civil trial, he was not arrested, but ordered to pay €250 to the victim (more than R$1,4 million at the current exchange rate) as compensation.