Conor McGregor is a man with expensive tastes, but it wasn’t always that way.
The ‘Notorious’ grew up in humble surroundings in Dublin, Ireland, and rose to the summit of the fight game through grit, hard work and determination.
McGregor is one of the world’s wealthiest athletesCredit: Getty
McGregor quickly became a pay-per-view star and the first fighter in UFC history to become a champion in two divisions simultaneously.
A mega-fight with boxer Floyd Mayweather catapulted his celebrity status to stratospheric levels while his bank balance similarly soared.
Super cars, designer clothes, and luxury yachts all followed, but now McGregor has revealed that watches are one of the few items he can’t live without.
Speaking to GQ Sports recently, the Irish superstar said that before he could afford expensive timepieces, he used to wear fake designer watches to UFC press conferences.
“You ever heard the term ‘you gotta fake it till you make it?'” McGregor asked with a smile.
“Funnily enough, the first real watch that I got was a gift, post UFC Dublin [2014] from Lorenzo Fertitta [former CEO of the UFC].
“He gifted me a solid gold Rolex Sky-Dweller [worth between £20,000-£40,000].
Lorenzo Fertitta gifted him his first expensive watch – a Rolex – in 2014Credit: Getty
Since then he has collected numerous expensive timepiecesCredit: Getty
‘Mystic Mac’ revealed that after he TKO’d Diego Brandão in the first round of their fight at UFC Fight Night 46 in Dublin, he went out with the Fertitta family and they gifted him the Rolex watch.
“It was my first real watch,” McGregor said.
“Before that I was at the press conference wearing a fake one.”
The 35-year-old also showed off a stunning emerald-green Patek Philippe watch designed by iconic Irish jewellers Weir & Sons.
For 150 years, Weir & Sons have been trading in luxury goods such as watches, jewellery and silver and several years ago they collaborated with master Swiss watchmakers Patek Philippe to commemorate their anniversary.
“They [Patek Philippe] made this watch specifically for Weir & Sons,” the MMA star said.
McGregor then took off the luxury wristwatch – which is currently on sale for an eye-popping £817,976 – for fans to get a closer look at.
“It’s got the Irish colours, he says.
“There’s only 25 made – and you know I had to get it,” he joked.
The exquisite watch is a Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph (Green) Ref. 5905P-014.
According to Weir & Sons: “The vibrant green that was chosen by Weir & Sons not only represents a proud Irish background but also dates back to one of the early Weir boxes.
McGregor showed off his rare green Patek Philippe watchCredit: YouTube@GQsports
It is one of 25 ever madeCredit: YouTube@GQsports
It is worth almost £1millionCredit: YouTube@GQsports
“The vibrant green on the dial is matched with a signature alligator strap. The case is made from pure platinum which is crafted in house.”
McGregor has always been a fan of the finer things in life and first voiced his love of watches back in 2013.
After going the distance with Max Holloway in his second UFC fight back, Conor pulled out a ‘solid gold pocket watch’ in his post-fight press conference and explained why he needs to be finishing fights.
“I’m looking to get paid here. We get looked after when we get finishes, this promotion wants finishes and that’s what I’m looking for,” McGregor said.
“These custom-made suits aren’t cheap. This solid gold pockets watch, three people died making this watch.
“I need to put people away. I need them big fights or I’m going to end up in debt pretty fast. I’m looking to hurry it along and finish every one.”
Over time he has built up quite the collection.
The 34-year-old is a massive fan of luxury watchesCredit: @thenotoriousmma – instagram
The 35 year old owns watches worth millionsCredit: @thenotoriousmma – instagram
He loves to show off his impressive collection on social mediaCredit: Conor McGregor (Instagram)
Last year he flaunted a lavish new Rolex in a series of Instagram posts.
The Rolex Day-Date ‘Green’ features 18k yellow gold and is set with brilliant-cut diamonds.
The timepiece, which was introduced in 2022, has a green dial with yellow-gold roman numerals as hour markers.
It is the first calendar wristwatch to indicate the day of the week spelt out in full in an arc-shaped window at 12 o’clock and most likely cost McGregor between £50,000 and £65,000.
McGregor also owns the Jacob & Co Astronomia Tourbillon Baguette, which costs about £840,000, as well as another Patek Philippe – the Annual Calendar Chronograph – which will have set him back about £900,000.
McGregor is clearly a fan of Patek Philippe watches as he has at least three others worth a combined £315,000, as well as a couple of Rolex watches that set him back about £426,000.
However, the jewel in his collection is a Jacob & Co Rasputin Diamond Minute Repeater – believed to be worth a whopping £1.91 million.