Let's meet Conor McGregor and his inspiring life story:
His dad never wanted him to be a fighter,
but he became the first Irish-born UFC champion,
Now he is tipped as the next big action star upon his cinematic debut.
He’s not only a fighter of his dream,
But a model for common folks.
（Conor McGregor as Knox in Road House）
The Boy Who Proved His Dad Wrong
McGregor's father never wanted him to become a fighter.
Like any other parent, he worried about McGregor getting hurt in the fight, and he didn't see the prospect of it.
In McGregor's early years, his father would often take him to watch soccer matches and take him to play soccer after school, but McGregor only saw his abilities in the sport as merely "average".
At 12, a twist of fate led young McGregor to the doors of Crumlin Boxing Club. Unexpectedly, this reserved young man developed a strong passion for the dynamic sport of boxing.
After his first session, he knew boxing was his calling. He regularly attended boxing classes, but soon became discontent with its singular focus. Unlike boxing, MMA offered him a variety of skills to master.
(Conor McGregor, first on the left. )
In 2015, McGregor made history by knocking out Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds. This victory made him the first Irish-born UFC champion. Even his dad, who wasn't initially on board with his career choice, couldn't help but swell with pride.
The “Notorious”
McGregor's teacher once advised his father that he should pursue law in the future. In fact, McGregor indeed has grown a sharp tongue. He often leaves his opponents speechless during pre-match press conferences. Some fans love his sharp tongue, while others find him rude. When he loses a match, some will seize the chance to mock his arrogance.
(The "Conor Walk". He usually does that on stage to provoke his rival.)
The point is, who would expect a fighter to be polite? UFC matches are incredibly intense and brutal. A gentlemanly-looking fighter would only make people think that he would get beaten up badly. To see an arrogant fighter beaten up badly, however, is quite different.
“We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over.”
- McGregor, after a UFC Fight Night in July 2014.
This bold statement quickly caught the attention of the UFC audience.
In fact, McGregor is not necessarily arrogant. His quirky provocation is definitely strategic. He understands what fight fans expect and uses his skills accordingly. A quick search on Google would reveal numerous memes of McGregor, which are all part of his free marketing campaign.
(McGregor stealing Jose Aldo’s Championship belt at a press conference）
McGregor's like a performance artist.
Most fighters at press conferences only flaunt their muscles, express anger, and shout about knocking down their opponents.
McGregor has many unique ways to provoke his opponents. And it works every time.
If I were a reporter on the spot, I would also become a fan of McGregor. Because I finally don't have to rack my brains to come up with new words to express the tension among players.
I could simply detail McGregor's actions to capture interest.
The Next Big Action Star
McGregor's performance art caught the eye of Hollywood.
Over the years, various scouts and producers have offered him movie roles, yet none had been the right fit.
It was only when McGregor suffered from an injury and had to take a break from competition that the producer of Road House approached him. After discussing the role, crew, script and other details, McGregor felt that the opportunity was finally right.
（McGregor as Knox in Road House）
Despite his potential, McGregor is new to the film industry.
Acting demands more than just a dramatic persona; it requires the ability to find the right voice for a character, the good timing for expressing emotions, and the skill to follow the director's blocking. Yet, no obstacle can stop a humble person from bettering himself.
Guided by two acting coaches, McGregor quickly became familiar with his new job.
“I’m a white belt in this, I’m here to learn.”
--McGregor tells Jake Gyllenhaal once he joined the crew.
Where there is a will, there is a way.
McGregor's hard work paid off. His excellent performance in the film created a lot of buzz upon release.
Some critics even heralded him as the "Arnold" of his generation. His remarkable appearance was so eye-catching that it at times outshone Gyllenhaal.
Many fans are eager to see him in more films. However, McGregor has not yet made any formal announcements.
What makes Conor McGregor successful?
Is it his suave image or his quick wit?
In my view, it's his passion-driven spirit.
He may not come from a privileged background,
but he knows precisely what he needs to do to keep progressing.
Throughout his journey of hard work, he has always remembered those who have helped him.
He sincerely understands his fans' needs.
He is never afraid to be authentic.
He is a star for the common folks, he is Conor McGregor for all of us.
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