Pictured

CHANGING MAN

Conor McGregor pictured through the years from fresh-faced UFC newbie to beefed-up global superstar

Jon Boon

Published: 13:42, 1 Jan 2021
Updated: 13:54, 1 Jan 2021

CONOR MCGREGOR has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become one of the most talked about sports stars on the planet.

The Irish star, nicknamed 'Notorious', returns to the Octagon on January 23 to fight old foe Dustin Poirier on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi at UFC 257.

Conor McGregor has enjoyed a meteoric rise from apprentice plumber to global sports star — Conor McGregor has enjoyed a meteoric rise from apprentice plumber to global sports starCredit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma

It's eight years since he first fought in the UFC - knocking out Marcus Brimage in the first round of their 2013 bout.

He became the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts in two weight divisions simultaneously.

Then, there was his battles with Nate Diaz, his rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov and THAT exhibition boxing match against Floyd Mayweather.

Retirement was toyed with, until he came out of a exile to fight Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone back in January 2020.

Not bad for a former apprentice plumber, who gambled with a career in the MMA.

SunSport presents his life in pictures, starting all the way back to 2012 when he was a Cage Warriors champ.

Butter wouldn't melt in McGregor's mouth as a young boy — Butter wouldn't melt in McGregor's mouth as a young boyCredit: Instagram

Before the UFC, Conor McGregor was the featherweight and lightweight champion in Cage Warriors — Before the UFC, Conor McGregor was the featherweight and lightweight champion in Cage WarriorsCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Fresh-faced in 2012, McGregor poses with fiancee Dee Devlin — Fresh-faced in 2012, McGregor poses with fiancee Dee DevlinCredit: Getty Images - Getty

UFC legend Chuck Liddell shares a joke with a young McGregor

McGregor walks to the Octagon for his debut in the UFC in 2013 — McGregor walks to the Octagon for his debut in the UFC in 2013Credit: Getty - Contributor

Max Holloway is no match for McGregor in their 2013 fight — Max Holloway is no match for McGregor in their 2013 fightCredit: Getty Images - Getty

In 2014 McGregor destroyed Dustin Poirier at UFC 178 — In 2014 McGregor destroyed Dustin Poirier at UFC 178Credit: Getty - Contributor

McGregor weighs-in ahead of his fight with Dennis Silver in 2015 — McGregor weighs-in ahead of his fight with Dennis Silver in 2015Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription

Chad Mendes gets struck with a left hook by McGregor at UFC 189 in 2015 — Chad Mendes gets struck with a left hook by McGregor at UFC 189 in 2015Credit: AP:Associated Press

McGregor celebrates after defeating Chad Mendes in the second round of their Interim UFC Featherweight Championship Title bout — McGregor celebrates after defeating Chad Mendes in the second round of their Interim UFC Featherweight Championship Title boutCredit: Getty - Contributor

McGregor's lifestyle in 2015 begins to dramatically change — McGregor's lifestyle in 2015 begins to dramatically changeCredit: Jamie McPhilimey - The Sun

Jose Aldo is knocked out by McGregor in 2015, who won and unified the UFC Featherweight Championship — Jose Aldo is knocked out by McGregor in 2015, who won and unified the UFC Featherweight ChampionshipCredit: Getty Images

Dee Devlin congratulates McGregor after he defeats Aldo — Dee Devlin congratulates McGregor after he defeats AldoCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Friends in high places - McGregor poses with pal and fellow Irishman Bono — Friends in high places - McGregor poses with pal and fellow Irishman Bono Credit: Refer to Caption

UFC president Dana White separates McGregor and Diaz at the weigh-in before UFC 196 — UFC president Dana White separates McGregor and Diaz at the weigh-in before UFC 196Credit: AP:Associated Press

Diaz chokes out McGregor, who tastes defeat for the first time in 2016 — Diaz chokes out McGregor, who tastes defeat for the first time in 2016Credit: Getty - Contributor

McGregor revenges his defeat to Diaz at UFC 202 - winning by majority decision months later — McGregor revenges his defeat to Diaz at UFC 202 - winning by majority decision months laterCredit: Getty Images - Getty

McGregor struts to the ring before fighting Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 for the UFC Lightweight Championship in 2016 — McGregor struts to the ring before fighting Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 for the UFC Lightweight Championship in 2016Credit: Getty - Contributor

Alvarez is defeated by McGregor in round two after a flurry of punches — Alvarez is defeated by McGregor in round two after a flurry of punchesCredit: Sportsfile - Subscription

McGregor holds aloft his featherweight and lightweight belts after defeating Alvarez in 2016 — McGregor holds aloft his featherweight and lightweight belts after defeating Alvarez in 2016Credit: Getty Images - Getty

By 2017 McGregor is the king of the UFC — By 2017 McGregor is the king of the UFCCredit: Instagram/@thenotoriousmma

Riches, including private jets follow for McGregor — Riches, including private jets follow for McGregorCredit: instagram

McGregor boosts his car collection with a Rolls Royce Dawn worth £282,000 — McGregor boosts his car collection with a Rolls Royce Dawn worth £282,000Credit: Refer to Caption

However, McGregor doesn't forget what made him the best - pushing his body to its limits

2017 was the year McGregor became a father for the first time - welcoming Conor Jr to the world

Notorious and his fiancee Dee Devlin enjoy the high-life — Notorious and his fiancee Dee Devlin enjoy the high-lifeCredit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma

In 2017 McGregor agreed to fight boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition fight — In 2017 McGregor agreed to fight boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition fightCredit: Getty - Contributor

Sparks flew at press conferences as Mayweather and McGregor traded insults — Sparks flew at press conferences as Mayweather and McGregor traded insultsCredit: Splash News

Mcgregor is no match for Mayweather who defeated Notorious by TKO in round 10 of their bout — Mcgregor is no match for Mayweather who defeated Notorious by TKO in round 10 of their boutCredit: Reuters

After almost two years without a fight in the UFC, McGregor squared off against Khabib Nurmagomedov — After almost two years without a fight in the UFC, McGregor squared off against Khabib NurmagomedovCredit: USA TODAY Sports

McGregor in training in 2018 ahead of his fight against Nurmagomedov — McGregor in training in 2018 ahead of his fight against NurmagomedovCredit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma

Inside McGregor's training camp before his Nurmagomedov showdown — Inside McGregor's training camp before his Nurmagomedov showdownCredit: Instagram @thenotoriousmma

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Nurmagomedov is too strong for McGregor and chokes him out at UFC 229 — Nurmagomedov is too strong for McGregor and chokes him out at UFC 229Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription

McGregor takes time out in 2019 with Dee Devlin — McGregor takes time out in 2019 with Dee DevlinCredit: Refer to Caption

McGregor returns in 2020 after toying with the idea of retirement — McGregor returns in 2020 after toying with the idea of retirementCredit: AP:Associated Press

Donald Cerrone is McGregor's opponent at UFC 246 — Donald Cerrone is McGregor's opponent at UFC 246Credit: Getty Images - Getty

McGregor's flying knee sets Notorious up to finish Cerrone in the first round with a series of punches — McGregor's flying knee sets Notorious up to finish Cerrone in the first round with a series of punchesCredit: USA TODAY Sports

A speechless McGregor falls to his knees after his stunning win over Cerrone — A speechless McGregor falls to his knees after his stunning win over CerroneCredit: Getty Images - Getty

McGregor is in training to face Dustin Poirier on January 23 — McGregor is in training to face Dustin Poirier on January 23 Credit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma

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